§. 101. Of Ministers delivering Gods whole counsell to all under their charge according to law.
THe ground which Moses had to do what he did, is set down in this word, pre∣cept, hereby is meant that charge which God gaveth him: For it was Gods p•…•…ecept: As this manifesteth Gods care over his Church, in giving precepts for the •…•…ell ordering it (whereof see Chap. 8. v. 5. §. 12.) So in Moses example, it im∣plyeth a Ministers duty, which is to speak Gods precept, Ministers must have their* 1.1 •…•…arrant from God, for what they do in their ministerial function. See Chap. 8. v. 5. §. 14. This was one point of Moses his faithfulnesse▪ See Chap. 3. v. 2. §. 39. The like may be instanced in all the Prophets, who came with the word of God in their mouths, and with this warrant, Thus saith the Lord. As for Moses when he had not his expresse warrant, he would go to the Lord to know his mind, as in the case of him that blasphemed the name of the Lord, Levit. 24. 11, 12. and of them that were unclean at the passeover, Numbers 9. 8. and of him that gathered sticks upon the Sabbath day, Numbers 15. 34, 35. The Apostles also had the like warrant, 1 Cor. 11. 23. 1 Iohn 1. 1. Revel. 1. •…•….
- 1. Ministers are Gods servants and ambassadors: they stand in his room, and must declare his mind.
- 2. This warrant maketh their ministery to be the better accepted, and the more regarded.
- 3. This is enough to support them against all opposition, and to make them cou∣ragious in performing their function.
It will the more encourage and embolden them, that herein they be impartial, as* 1.2 M•…•…ses was: which is manifested two wayes.
- 1. That he spake every precept.
- 2. That he spake to all the people.
The former sheweth that Gods whole will must be made known. This God re∣quireth,* 1.3 Ier. 1. 17. Matth. 28. 20. This faithful servants of God have engaged them∣selves to do, 1 King. 22. 14. Ier. 42. 4. And they have actually done it, Act. 20. 20. 27. God appoints nothing rashly, without just cause and in vain. To yield to some things, and to neglect others, is to oppose our shallow conceit to the unsearchable wisdome of God: yea, that which we do, will be a witnesse against us for that which we neglect: because all is from the same authority.
- 1, This teacheth Ministers to cast off such rags of the old man, as keep them from making known every precept, or any part of Gods will: those rags are fear of men, undue shame, popular applause, ambition, &c. Many can deliver such truths, as stand with the times and earnestly press them: but are silent in other truths and pass them by: they shew more respect to themselves, then to their Lord and Master.
- 2. Such as desire to approve themselves to the Lord that sent them, must have an eye to his whole will and counsel, and faithfully make known every precept. For this end it is requisite, that they have knowledge thereof, and withall a holy resolution to stick close to him that sent them, and not to fear man. See Chap. 3. v. 2. §. 40.
The latter branch of Moses his impartiality sheweth, that Gods word is imparti∣ally* 1.4 to be dispenced to all this people, Deut. 31. 12. Certainly he did so who said, I am pure from the blood of all men, Acts 20. 26.
All are alike to God, he hath no respect of persons, Acts 10. 35. See more hereof, Chap. 6. v. 11. §. 78.
That which Moses did is said to be according to the law. Law in general, doth set* 1.5 forth the same thing, that precept before mentioned did. For the law of God is here meant. It is called precept to set forth the authority of him that injoyned it. He had power to command. It is stiled law to shew the stability thereof, and necessity of yielding obedience thereto: for a law is an established ordinance or statute, which must be observed.
The word law sheweth the warrant that Moses had to do what he did: which was noted out of the word precept §. 101.