§. 70. Of Ministring to such as are in need.
THe particular instance of that love which God is here said, not to forget, is th•…•… set down, in that ye have ministred to the Saints. The effect it sel•…•… is in this phrase, ye have ministred. And the speciall object thereof, in this word, Sai•…•….
The Greek word, translated, a 1.1 Ministred, is a compound. b 1.2 The simple sig∣nifieth to serve. The c 1.3 compound implyeth readiness and diligence therein. It is indefinitely used for any kind of service. It setteth out that service which Angels performed to Christ, (Matth. 4. 11.) and which Martha did to him, Luk. 10. •…•…0. It is oft applyed to ecclesiasticall performances; as to preaching the word, 2 Cor. 3. 3. But especially to shewing mercy to the poor, and ministring to their neces∣sities Rom. 15. 25. In this respect it is translated, d 1.4 to use the office of a Deaco•…•…, 1 Tim. 3 10, 13. A noune that in generall signifieth any kind of e 1.5 Ministry or se•…•…, is thence derived, Luk. 10. 40. In special it setteth out the Ministry of the wo•…•…, Act. 6. 4. More particularly, distributing almes of the Church, 2 Cor. 9. 1. Here∣upon such persons as are deputed to that function, are called f 1.6 Deac•…•…ns, 1 Tim. 3. 8, 12. Of this word see more Chap. 1. v. 14. §. 156.
Here it is taken in a particular respect, for the relieving of such as are in need;* 1.7 whereby it appeareth, that it is an especial fruit of love to succour such as are in need▪ for it is here set down as a speciall instance and fruit of love, Christ sets it down as a fruit of love, to give to him that asketh, (Matth. 5. 42.) meaning such as are in need. Where the Apostle saith, love is bountifull, (1 Cor. 13. 4.) he meaneth, in distribut∣ing to such as are in need.
Love is compounded of pity and mercy: which are so moved with misery, as they cannot but afford succour.
This affords a good triall about the labour which we take, whether it be the la∣bour of love or no. If it be simply for our selves, & our own advantage, it may 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rank of self-love, but little of brotherly-love. But if it be to do good to others, and to succour such as are in distresse and need, then it may well be judged a fruit of love.
Behold then what love especially it is that God hath in remembrance: which his righteousness will not suffer him to forget: which argueth true love to be in our hearts, and giveth e•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that we it to the name of God. All these be∣ing here couched in my Text, are a strong motive to stir us up herein to testifie 〈◊〉〈◊〉 labour of love.
Of distributing to such as are in need, see Chap. 13. 16.