The vvhole-armor of God: or A Christians spiritual furniture, to keepe him safe from all the assaults of Satan First preached, and now the second time published and enlarged for the good of all such as well vse it:whereunto is also added a treatise of the sinne against the Holy Ghost. By VVilliam Gouge B.D. and preacher of Gods Word in Blacke Fryers London. ...

§. 174. Of Ambassadours of the Word.

AN Ambassadour is an especiall messenger sent after an honorable manner from some great personage: for meane men vse not to send Ambassadours. If it bee demanded who hee was that sent S. Paul on his Ambas∣sage, himself maketh answere in another place saying,o 1.1 We are Ambassadors for Christ. Christ the great Lord & king of heauen & earth was his Master, & sent him: in which re∣spect he oft stileth himselfe thep 1.2 Apostle of Iesus Christ.

Quest. Was S. Paul the onely Ambassador of Christ.

Answ.* 1.3 No verily: for expresly he saith in the plurall number, we are Ambassadours, which phrase he vseth not as earthly Kings, or other in great place doe, for dignity sake saying, wee Leo, or we Gregory command this or that: for when he speaketh of himselfe alone, and expresseth his owne proper name, hee vseth the singular number, asa 1.4 I Paul say,b 1.5 I Paul the prisoner,c 1.6 I Paul haue written, &c.

But when he vseth the plurall number he speaketh of o∣thers also, whom he ranketh in one and the same order with himselfe, and maketh equall to himselfe.

Quest. Who were those other? any besides the Apostles?

Answ.* 1.7 The Apostles were especially after a peculiar manner the Ambassadours of Christ: for they had their commission immediately from Christ, by Christs owne voice and word were they sent forth: and in this respect the title of Apostle (which in effect signifieth the same thing that Ambassadour doth,* 1.8 namely, Sent) was appropri∣ated to them: yet may we not thinke that they were the onely Ambassadours of Christ, for then after their de∣parture Christ should haue had no Ambassadours on earth, none who in his name and steede should offer re∣conciliation vnto the world, and preach the glad tidings of saluation: certainly Christ still continued to loue his Church as well as euer he did, and is still as carefull to prouide all things needefull for it as euer he was: he can∣not cast off the care of it. What therefore hee did imme∣diately after his ascention by Apostles, doubtlesse hee continued to doe by other Ministers:d 1.9 for when hee as∣cended vp on high, he gaue not onely Apostles, Prophets, and Euangelists, who were extraordinary Ministers to continue but a while til his Gospel were spread al abroad among the Gentiles, but also Pastors and Teachers, who were by succession one after an other to continue till his glorious comming vnto iudgement: and these also are his Ambassadours: so as this title appertaineth to all Ministers of the Word, and all are comprised vnder that speech of the Apostle, wee are Ambassadours for Christ: which is further euident by this titlee 1.10 Angell (which sig∣nifieth a messenger) giuen to ordinary Ministers.

Notes

• o 1.1

  2 Cor. 5. 20
• p 1.2

  1 Cor. 1. 1
• * 1.3

  Other Ambas∣sadors besides Paul.
• a 1.4

  Gal. 5. 2
• b 1.5

  Eph. 3, 1
• c 1.6

  Phil. ver. 19.
• * 1.7

  The Apostles were speciall ambassadours
• * 1.8

  Other Mini∣sters ambassa∣dours also.
• d 1.9

  Ephe. 4. 11.
• e 1.10

  Reu. 1. 20.