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The example of Apollos, Act. 18. 24 25, &c. An eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures, instructed in the way of the Lord, taught diligently, &c. Because he preached without a Call, Ergo, Gifted Brethren may preach without a Call.
This is a Tower,* 1.1 a strong Tower▪ in our Brothers conceits; here they triumph (though it be before the Victory:) Apollos, Apollos preached without a Call, &c. But let us approach neer it, and we shall discern
this Tower to be a Tower of Babel. too weak and sandy a foundation for their high and haughty building: Like the Apples of Sodom, glo∣rious to the eye; but touch them, and they fall to dust and ashes.
And therefore I answer,* 1.2 1. This is an Example, but no Precept: ex∣amples may not be followed, without observation of the like causes, and like conditions. Now I doubt not but I shal prove your case & Apollos's to be different; and then this instance will do you no good. In follow∣ing examples, (saith a very learned man) we must mark four things: 1. How they did it. 2. When they did it. 3. Where they did it. 4. Why they did it. These will give some light in this business.
1. We will inquire who it was that Preached?* 1.3 Apollos. What was he? A Minister. How is that proved? 1 Cor. 3. 5. Who is Paul? and who Apollo? But Ministers, &c. He is in terminis, expresly called a Minister.
Obj. He was ordained afterwards.
A. You may do well to prove that. Affirmanti incumbit probatio: Qu••d enim non lego, nec credo. Where the Scripture hath not a Tongue to speak,* 1.4 we must have no ears to hear.
2. He was a coadjutor to Paul,* 1.5 and therefore oft joyned with him, 1 Cor 3. 6, 22. and 1. 1. 12. and 4. 6. and 16. 12. Paul may plant, Apollo water;* 1.6 q. d. I Paul first planted and preached the Word, A∣pollos came after me, and by his Ministery expounded the same Do∣ctrine of Christ to you,* 1.7 and so watred what I had taught. Hence the learned Zanchy ranks him with Evangelists; Timothy, Titus, Silva∣nus, Apollos: these were not tyed to any one place, but were assistants to the Apostles, to water what they had planted.
3. What were the gifts and endowments of the Minister? Surely▪ more then ordinary; few in all the Scripture so highly commended for endowments and abilities, as he. Such as God calls extraordinarily, he gifts extraordinarily.
The Text tells us he was an eloquent man; he was both prude••t and eloquent, he had skill in the words, and could expound well; he had good elocution to express 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Exposition. Matter well habited, is more acceptable.
Mighty in the Scriptures (i. e.) well instructed and grounded in them, and endowed with a singular grace of Gods Spirit, to propound, expound, and perswade them to men.
Instructed in the way of the Lord; He had learned the coming of Christ into the world, and his Doctrine, when Iohn the Baptist had taught obscurely and imperfectly of it; but had not participated of the
clear and large Declaration which Christ and his Apostles had made of it.
4. Fervent in spirit. He was no cold, dead Teacher; but he taught powerfully, livelily, experimentally.
5. He taught diligently: he was no idle, Strawberry-Preacher.
6. He doth not preach his own fancies, but the things of the Lord, viz. the Baptism of Iohn, (i. e.) the Doctrine which Iohn the Baptist had delivered concerning Christ, and had sealed to his Disciples by Baptism.
7. He teacheth boldly in the Synagogues, not fearing the face of man.
8. Observe his rare Humility: he doth not disdain (though he were a man of singular abilities) to be taught what he knew not of mean persons; an humble man can learn of the meanest; a little child shall lead him, Isa. 11. 6. to see a Master in Israel sit by an Aquila, a Tent∣maker, and a Priscilla his wife, and to be instructed by them, to learn of his Auditors, was no less an act of meekness then of wonder; but a wise man looks more at the Counsel then the Counsellor; he regards not so much who, as what the instruction is; an Abraham can hear∣ken to the Counsel of Sarah, and Iob of his servants.
9. He hath the approbation of the Church of God for his abilities, ver. 27. The Brethren of the Church of Ephesus write Letters commendatories in his behalf to the Disciples at Corinth to receive him.
10. His Teaching was operative and fruitful; he did not labour in vain: For, 1. he furthered the faith of Beleevers and helped them much. 2. He was able to convince gain-sayers, vers. 28. he convinced, he mightily convinced the Jews, and that not privately, for fear of oppo∣sition but he undertakes them publikely; and this he doth not by weak humane inventions, but by the Scriptures, (out of Isaiah, Daniel, the Psalms, Moses and the Prophets) he doth Theologically demon∣strate, and infallibly conclude, that this Jesus the Son of Mary was the true Messias promised to the Fathers, &c.
Thus you have seen this good man in his colours; how like our gifted Brethren are to him, we shall see in the Parallel.
The second Quaere will be▪ When he preached?
A. 'Twas in a time when Churches were planting, in the Primitive times, when God gave extraordinary gifts, and poured out the Spirit of Prophecie in abundance, for the gathering and perfecting of his Church, &c.
2. 'Twas in a time when that corrupt custom was in practice among the Jews, of giving liberty to some (though not in Office) to preach.
3. I answer by way of concession: Should we grant that Apollos was not a man in Office, yet 'twill not help you: for this is but an in∣stance (as a judicious Divine well observes) of the liberty given by the Jews, or taken, when as yet there was no Church in being. Take in all the commendations of the man, and, in a like juncture of time, others of like abilities may do the like.
I come now to the Parallel, that our Brethren may see how like, or rather how unlike they are to their Pattern, and, as they conceive, their Patron.
| 1. Apollos was a man of ex∣traordinary abilities. | These (most of them) have not ordinary. |
| 2. He is called a Minister, and was a Preacher. | These are Diminishers, and Praters. |
| 3. He was an Helper to the Apostles. | These are Hinderers to their Successors. |
| 4. He was Eloquent. | These are Loquent. |
| 5. He was mighty in the Scriptures. | These in Raptures. |
| 6. He taught the things of God. | These their own Fanries. |
| 7. He taught frequently. | These firily. |
| 8. He taught boldly and o∣penly in the Synagogues. | These clancularly creep into houses and corners. |
| 9. He was very humble and lowly. | These very proud and self-conceited. |
| 10. He had the approbation of the Church of God. | These preach without it. |
| 11. He convinced and con∣verted many. | These will not be convinced in themselves, nor do they convert any; yea, they pervert many. |
Deliberandum est de remedio praesertim cum non Cynthius, sed Apollos aurem vellat.
Hic dignus vindice nodus.
Ubi similes causae & cir∣cumstantiae, ibi locum ha∣bet exemplum. Weems Iewish Synag. 1 part. p. 265, &c.
By Grace. This may have a rela∣tion to Apollos, who by his au∣thentical Mini∣stery called Grace, Rom. 1. 5. & 15. 15.
1 Cor. 3. 10. Deodat.
Zanchy in Eph. 4. 11.
Bucan. loci, p. 525.
Formatus ••uit à natura, informatus curâ, confirmatus praxi, in iis quae sunt Do∣mini. Prid.