and conferred upon them. This Apostle includeth himself among the other mem∣bers of Gods Church, where he saith, Whose house are we, v. 6. He saith indefi∣nitely of all Christians, without excepting any, In Christ you also are builded toge∣ther, Eph. 2. 22. Another Apostle in such an extent saith the like, Ye also as lively stones are built up a spirituall house, 1 Pet. 2. 5. More expresly to the point in hand saith the Apostle of himself, By the grace of God I am what I am, 1 Cor. 15. 10. and again, I thank Christ Iesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, 1 Tim. 1. 12.
Obj. The Apostle maketh himself a Master builder, who laid the foundation: and he maketh other Ministers builders upon that foundation, 1 Cor. 3. 10. By the same reason Moses and the Prophets may be counted builders, yea and chief builders.
Answ. We must distinguish betwixt the person and function of a Prophet, Apo∣stle and other Minister.
In regard of their persons, they are born in the same condition, and subject to the same passions and infirmities that others are, Act. 14. 15. as insufficient of themselves to do any thing as of themselves, as any other. We are not sufficient of •…•…urselves, &c. saith an Apostle, 2 Cor. 3. 5. Ministers, even the best Ministers, stand in as much need of means both for preservation of their body, and also for the sal∣vation of their souls, as others do.
In regard of their functions, Christ doth indeed communicate his dignity and work with them. The Apostle saith of himself and other Ministers, We are workers together with God, 1 Cor. 3. 9. In the same respect also he saith, We are Ambassadors for Christ, we pray you in Christs stead, 2 Cor. 5. 20.
But Christ doth so communicate his work and Office to them, as he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all the power in his own hands. Ministers are only instruments; and their Ministry is of power, so much and so long as it pleaseth God to adde his blessing thereto, without which blessing they are nothing. Neither is he that planteth any thing, nei∣ther he that watereth, but God that giveth the increase, 1 Cor. 3. 7. Without me, saith Christ to his Disciples, ye can do nothing, Joh. 15. 5.
Thus though Ministers in regard of their Office, be sowers, planters, waterers, fathers, builders, &c. yet in regard of their persons, they are Gods corn, plants, gardens, children, houses. So was Moses, so were all other Prophets, so were the Apostles and all other Ministers.
The Jews therefore had two high a conceit of Moses. They accounted him their Lord and Master, and professed themselves to be his Disciples, and that in opposition to Christ, Ioh. 9. 28. Yea they trusted in Moses, Joh. 5. 28.
Men may also have Ministers of the Gospel in too high an esteem. Indeed it is the most usuall fault to despise Ministers, yet some are prone to fall into the other extream. People ought to take heed thereof: for it is a kinde of secret Idolatry, and it may draw our minde too much from Christ himself.
Let Ministers also take heed of thinking too highly of themselves. They are but parts of that house whereof other Christians also are parts. Let them therefore make themselves equall to them of the lower sort, and account all of this spirituall house as brethren. Christ himself was not ashamed to call them brethren, Heb. 2. 11. §. 108. See §. 3, 4. of this Chapt.
Ministers being of this house that is built by another, they must be diligent in using the same means for their spirituall edification, that they teach others. They must pray for themselves, and preach to themselves, and partake themselves of the Sacraments, least they prove like the builders of Noahs Ark, who perished with the wicked world.
Finally, Moses being as others of that house that was built, people must not ex∣pect too great matters from their Ministers, as if they were the builders of the house. They must use them as Ministers of God, depending on God for his bles∣sing: yet must they pray for them, and bear with them, and succour them, and do all meet kindnesses for them.