Epaphras A SERMON PREACHED AT SAINT AVSTELL IN CORNWAL IN COMMEMORATION of a Benefactor the second of February 1639. By Ioseph May Master of Arts and Pastour of that Parish HEB. 13.16 To doe good and to distribute forget not for with such Sacrifices God is well pleased LONDON Printed by T. H. for Humphrey Robinson and are to be sold at the Signe of the three Pigeons in Pauls Church-yard 1641. TO HIS WORTHY FRIEND AND FRIENDLY Benefactor Mr. Richard Delamaine servant to his Majesty in the practice of the Mathematickes SIR THis new borne Babe seeketh admittance into your bosome and that justly because it is one of your own begetting your Purse and my Pen have joyned for the production of this Issue which now as you see hath taken footing to step abroad into the world I for my part have designed it for the Sanctuary there to hold a candle that some dim-sighted-passengers might by its light finde out a way to the poor mans Box and that by the same light I and my fellow servants may behold what manner of man Epaphras was for our paterne and imitation I have sent it unto you without Bag or Scrip very naked yet in such garments as Truth useth to put on You that love your Countrey so well cannot chuse but make much of your owne childe borne in your owne Parish and one that doth so well resemble you I have onely taught him his prayers or rather I have learned from him how to pray especially for you that you may stand perfect and compleat in all the will of God Which duty shall alwayes be really performed by Yours truely obliged JOSEPH MAY. To his beloved Parishioners of Saint AUSTEL BEloved Friends and Parishioners it was for your sakes that I preached this Sermon and you know by whose procurement They are salutations which I presented unto you from a friend of yours wherein you may perceive his love and zealous affection towards this place the place of his birth and first breeding It is my desire that among the many Sermons which I have delivered some one may be more powerfull then the rest to worke in you an imitation of our Benefactors good workes the glory of God being his chiefe aime and that it bee not raked in oblivion or as a Candle put under a Bushell when it was intended to give light to the whole house I have here published what I formerly preached you have the light both of the word of God and the good workes of men walke in the light of the one by the light of the other that yee may be the children of light and so at length placed in glory like starres in the firmament with him who onely hath immortality and dwelleth in that light which no man can approach unto whereunto tendeth the labour and service of Your friend and Minister JOSEPH MAY. Col. 4.12 13. Epaphras who is one of you a servant of Christ saluteth you alwayes labouring fervently for you in prayers that yee may stand perfect and compleat in all the will of God For I beare him record that he hath a great zeale for you and them that are at Laodicea and them in Hierapolis THe Saints and faithfull brethren which were at Colosse a city of Greece converted to the faith of Jesus Christ by the faithfull ministry of Epaphras give occasion to our Apostle to rejoyce be holding their order and stedfastnesle of faith in Christ upon the heare-say and report that came to him Col. 2.5 and therefore made them a choice part of his Apostolicall charge whereby to animate Col. 2.1 and confirme them in the faith received And however he had not seen them in the flesh yet his spirit and heart went with them and this Epistle is sent unto them by Tychicus a faithfull Minister Col. 4.7 8 9. and Onesimus a beloved brother to the end that the state of the Apostle might bee made knowne unto them and likewise their state made known unto him Thereby to comfort their hearts and to establish them in the truth herein compendiously setting before them a platforme both for life and doctrine that so every Saint and faithful brother might know what belonged to his severall vocation And towards the end of his Epistle by way of consolation remembreth the salutation of others of the holy brotherhood and fellowship as well as of himselfe as namely of Marcus Aristarcus Justus Epaphras c. So that Epaphras here mentioned is one of the beloved brethren and fellow servants whose salutations to the Church that was at Colosse to the Saints and brethren there the Apostle remembreth in this Epistle as in the text Epaphras who is one of c. In my judgement the Apostle is more zealous and affectionate in the salutations remembred from Epaphras then from any other of the brethren Because in the remembrance of the salutations of Epaphras he so highly commendeth Epaphras for his love especially toward the Colossians This is observed by the severall commendations of others here mentioned compared with the commendations which are given of Epaphras Aristarcus Marcus Jesus which was called Justus they were his fellow-workers unto the Kingdome of God Luke a beloved Physician these are commended in briese but Epaphras hath a large commendation two whole verses are spent to this purpose enough to make a short epistle in the commendation of Epaphras which the observations here following shall more plainely demonstrate to the end that the worth of Epaphras for imitation may be had in ever lasting remembrance Wherefore observe I beseech you first who is here commended Epaphras and in him the matter of his commendation that is why and wherefore he is commended Secondly by whom hee is commended and in him the manner of his commendation I beare him record The person commended is called Epaphras Nomen quasi not amen etym. I suppose it to be his name taken in baptisme at his conversion from Paganisme to Christianity Colosse a town of Phrygia Alst 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Tim. 1.6 Tit. 3.1 1 Pet. 1.12 13 Col. 1.7 which might be done at Hierusalem where Peter baptized Phrygians and others not without significancy especially in that he was after his conversion deputed to a ministeriall calling which calling requires that men be put in minde and remembrance of their duties by the ministry which was the practice of the Apostle toward Timothy and Titus And of Saint Peter to the dispersed Brethren And Epaphras properly signifieth an admonitor or one that putteth in remembrance and in this point he was for them a faithfull Minister of Christ well brooking his name by his office a fit name for a servant of Jesus Christ so that it was comfortable to the Colossians to heare of Epaphras and to have his name mentioned in the Epistle whereby they received a testimony of his love toward them requiting that testimony of their love in the Spirit which was declared by Epaphras unto the
God is written in their foreheads in this number Epaphras was a servant of Christ in the generall acception and we which truely beleeve professe Christ with him are fellow-servants Now there is also a servant of God or of Christ specially taken for one that is a servant by an especiall calling or function wherein he is to doe God and Christ an especiall service such are they that serve faithfully in their ministery being thereunto called Acts 13.2 as Barnabas and Saul and that is chiefly to shew unto men the way of salvation so testifiyed by the Damosell Acts 16.17 Such servants were Paul and Timothy and Iames and Peter and Iude so styling themselves in the proemes of their severall Epistles And the office of these servants was principally like Peter and Iohn with boldnesse to speake the Word of God Acts 4.13 God may justly chalenge service from all his creatures because he hath formed them from all good Christians because he hath redeemed them but from his Ministers principally because he hath called them to be the chiefest of servants in their holy function he said to Iacob Esai 44.21 1 Cor. 6. ult thou art my servant for I have formed thee to the Israel of God thou art my servant for I have redeemed thee to the faithfull Minister thou art my servant for I have called thee or appointed thee to be a chosen vessell to beare my Name before Gentiles and Kings Act. 19.15 and the Children of Israel Mat. 20.1 These are shadowed by the hired servants which labour in his Vineyard In all these respects was Epaphras a servant of Christ but especially in his ministry his labours for the Colossians doe manifest his faithfullservice Col. 1.7 for he was a faithfull Minister of Christ for them First in that they had learned of him to know the grace of God in truth having done his office faithfully in preaching the Gospell 1 Cor. 14.3 a right Evangelicall Prophet speaking unto them to edifying to exhortation and comfort and labouring for them by earnest and fervent prayes In Text. which are the maine duties of a faithfull Pastor in relation to his flocke When Epaphras was at Colosse he was chiefly busied about Gods errand delivering his mandates to the people Now that he is at Rome he is busied about the Colossians errand to deliver petitions for them unto God And this he doth with such earnestnesse that like Iacob he is wrestling with the Angell Gen. 32.26 he will not be answered untill he receive a blessing Orandi arte capi Deus se patitur Maldon in Jo. God is pleased so to be overcome and no way else for by this sacred force the violent take the Kingdome of God and if importunity prevaile with the unrighteous Luke 18.5 much more the righteous Iudge The third ground of his deserved commendation is taken from the worke he undertooke and performed on the behalfe of his Country-men the Colossians his holy exercise of prayer wherein to commend the worke I observed severall circumstances and the subject matter of the same the circumstances are already handled though briefly and therein I referre you to that which hath beene formerly delivered The subject matter is now the thing which I intend to treat of wherein is comprehended all necessaries to make perfect and compleat Christians Hee prayeth for them that they may stand perfect and compleat in all the will of God that is as I doe understand it that they may be perfect and compleat in obedience to all the will of God Obedience makes the soule of man Gods faithfull servant nay it makes the soule the wife of its Saviour It is divinely spoken of a morall man Eschyl that said Obedientia est foelicitatis mater servator is Iovis uxor That is obedience is them other of happinesse and the wife of the saving God Gen. 22.28 Abraham had the promise Quia obedisti voci mea because thou hast obeyed my voyce and for this grace hee had the honour to be called the Father of the Righteous but our Saviour Christ did more by obedience for man because by his obedience wee are made righteous Rom. 5.19 and of him it is said that hee was factus obediens as ordained of the Father for that purpose and for this purpose also that wee in him and by him should learne obedience to all the will of God and this was the Summum bonum the desired happinesse which Epaphras prayeth for to betide the Colossians that they might stand perfect and compleat in obedience to all the will of God Hee will have them to be perfect and compleat that is to lacke nothing to be absolute and entire to be all full without the least defect to have all excellency even in the superlative degree so that there should bee no want nor possibility of adding any thing he prayeth for their Christian perfection that they might be perfect Mat. 5. ult as our Father which is in heaven is perfect whereunto Christ exhorteth and whereunto Christ propounded a paterne to all beleevers to be obedient to the will of God in all things Mat. 26.39 God is most absolutely perfect in his Essence in his Attributes in his Workes Of this perfection in God Christian perfection commeth short it is not so much as a point to that line or as a drop to that Ocean neverthelesse it is accepted of God and accounted a perfection First by comparing it to the conditions of the men in this world and next by their imitation and resemblance which they have of God and his Sonne Christ in the workes of holinesse for such as labour for Christian perfection they bewaile their own imperfections and strive by holy desires and endeavours for a heavenly perfection they exercise themselves in holy duties are conversant with God in the inward man and are heavenly minded they are patient in adversity forgiving injuries praying for persecutors and are ready upon occasion to helpe their greatest adversaries they practise the rules of charity toward all men exercising good workes and carefully walking in their severall callings After this manner and in this measure a Christian perfection may be had 2 Cor. 12.9 by the helpe and assistance of that grace which is sufficient for us We have it in this life but in part but when that which is perfect indeed is come 1 Cor. 13.10 then that which is in part shall be done away And we must have patience to awaite untill we arrive to that harbour where the spirits of just men are made perfect Heb. 12. to bee perfect indeed Wherefore it becommeth every good Christian to labour for such a perfection as may be had in this life thereby to fit himselfe for reall and absolute perfection in the life to come Est aliquid prodire tenus It is availeable to doe our endeavours one may be as Neah was Gen. 6.9
and well deserving not respect mens persons but to weigh and consider the merit of their causes There were but few to give such testimony of Epaphras and therefore for the future glory of Epaphras the Apostle doth beare record to make an everlasting record of Epaphras his well deserving What was requisite to a sure testimony is found in the person of Saint Paul First eminency in authority Secondly approbation of fidelity Thirdly exemplary integrity All these were in him for he was conspicuous and eminent in place and authority one of an approved fidelity and his life and conversation full of exemplary integrity 2 Cor. 12.11 for authority he was not one whit behinde the chiefest Apostles 1 Tim. 1.12 for fidelity he was accounted faithfull and so put into the ministery For integrity his conversion altered his conversation his life made good his doctrine Gal. 2 20. for Christ lived in him The integrity of his conversation was approved by the viper that fell from his hand from the courteous entertainement that hee received from Iulius Acts 27. 28. whose defence and patronage saved him when the mu inous Souldiers would have killed him and from Publius and the Barbarians that thought him to be a God But above all how did the Disciples at Caesarea witnesse and approve the integrity of his life when they not onely wept Acts 21.13 but did even breake their hearts to forgoe him so that it might be truely said of this Apostle in whom Christ lived as it was said of Christ himselfe by the Centurion certainely this was a righteous man Lake 23.42 This was the applause and commendation which good men and wise men did ever strive for Laudari a laudato Cice. 4. Tusc qu. to be well spoken of by them that were well spoken of the approbation of one Paul was better then the praises of ten thousand parasites This approbation had Epaphras from Paul the Minister of the Colossians from the Bishop of the Gentiles and it were to be wished that every Pastor set over the Congregations in the Church of England had the like approbation from his Diocesan In the application of the Text give me leave to commend unto you an Epaphras now living whom we of this place have round zealous for us and of whom I now beare record Let us examine how and in what measure hee may be paralleld to the Epaphras of St. Paul As Epaphras had a relation unto the Colossians so this man to us Epaphras saluteth them by Pauls Epistle this man by his severall Epistles unto me for you saluteth you Epaphras was their Countrey-man so this is ours Epaphras was a servant of Christ so is ours too First in the common and generall service of Christianity Secondly in the service of the Ministery in particular though not by a speciall service and calling to teach and preach the Gospel of Christ in his own person yet alique mode for that he procureth Sermons to be preached at his cost and expense and this way doth exercise a ministeriall function though not formally yet efficiently for the glory of God and the good of this congregation Epaphras prayed for them this man is not behinde in the like holy exercise for us Wherefore I desire your patience to heare some passages word for word as they are delivered in his salutations by severall Epistles In one Epistle it is thus I aim at those of my countrey by neerest relation them of the Parish and Towne wherein I was born And again I cannot do lesse then remember the place of my birth and the poore that be in that towne and I desire that my gift viz. his benevolence and contribution may stir up some to the like actions whilst they live and not defer it till their death And againe I most humbly pray you writing to me your Minister to give unto your Parishioners foure Sermons in this yeare and I pray God heartily that they may worke upon the hearers effectually as they are by me intended for their good And againe I cease not to pray to God for the increase of your talent and that your ministery may distill upon the hearts of your hearers to gaine some and to direct establish and comfort others to Gods glory and your everlasting peace and happinesse And againe my prayer to God for you and yours is that hee will abundantly according to the riches of his grace make your labours most profitable and glorious in your charge and the high calling that God hath called you unto And againe I pray heartily unto God that I may bee what I am instructed in from men of your ranke and calling who are the lights of the people and the guides of soules for whom my prayers to the God of Spirits which is the quickning instrument shall never cease to be poured forth that every one of you may be as Moses Aaron to go in out before your people and to speak a word in due season to those that hear you for their and your owne salvation So to Gods gracious protection I commit you and them And unto these his several prayers for me your minister and you my Parishioners his alms so liberally extended toward the poore of this place and then tell me wherein he comes short of Epaphras There is not a Sabbath in the yeare wherein his hand is not extended to our poore On the Feast of S. Luke the Purification of the Virgin Mary Ascension day and S. James on each day allowing 10.5 to the poore and 10.5 for a Sermon and at four festivals in the yeare plentitifully enlarged not onely in Almes but Sermons also that so the whole congregation may be fed some spiritually and some corporally by his pious bounty S. Paul did testifie that Epaphras had a great zeale for the Colossians his countrey-men and it was so and I though inferiour to the Apostle yet witnes the truth doe testifie of our friend benefactor and countreyman that he hath a great zeal for you and certainly it is so Wherefore let us then in some thankfull way acknowledge the benefit of his love towards us Gal. 1. ult make requitall as the Churches of Iudea did for S. Paul even by the glorifying of God in him and let us all in generall pray for him as our Apostle did for the household of Onesiphorus 2 Tim. 1.16 The Lord give mercy unto his house for he hath oft refreshed us However if you for your part bee negligent and backward yet I for my part will say and heartily pray Peace be to him and love and faith from God the Father and the Lord Iesus Christ Ephes 6.23.24 And grace bee with all them that love our Lord Iesus Christ in sincerity Amen FINIS Imprimatur Johaunes Hansley May 29. 1641.