[Vers. 13] VERRS. 13. Yee are the salt of the earth, but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it bee salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be troden under foot of men.
[Sect. 1] §. 1. Ye are the salt of the earth.]
[Quest. 1] Whether is this meant of their persons, or of their office?
[Answ.] Of their office or function; ye are the salt of the earth, that is, it is your office and worke to salt and season the earth: Trahit ad personas quod est doctrinae (Calvin s.) Christ applyes that to their persons, which belongs unto their doctrine. Non tam ad personas quam ad munus (Gualt. s.) This doth not so much belong unto their persons, as unto their office; [Obser.] or apostolicall function, to wit, the Ministery of the word. Teaching us, that it is the part of the Ministers of the word, to season the hearts of the faithfull.
[Quest. 2] Could not Christ have seasoned the hearts of his children himselfe, and if he could, why did he do it by men?
[Answ.] Christ could have seasoned and sanctified the hearts of his children by himselfe: but yet would doe it by men for these two causes: First, that he might have an evident and perspicuous Church and discipline upon earth, or a representation of his presence amongst men. Secondly that here∣by his power and strength might be glorified in our weakenesse, and infirmity.
[Quest. 3] Who is it that doth truely salt and season the heart with grace?
[Answ. 1] First, really this seasoning comes from God, and his Blessed Spirit, who is the principall au∣thour of all good in us.
[Answ. 2] Secondly, the principall Instrument of our sea∣soning, is the sacred Scriptures.
[Answ. 3] Thirdly, the Ministers are only secondary in∣struments of this seasoning: And that First by Preaching unto men the word of God. And Se∣condly, by sealing them by the Sacraments of Christ; which two workes if they be truely per∣formed, doe truely confirme unto us the salt of the Holy Ghost.
[Sect. 2] §. 2. Yee are the salt of the earth.] If the salt [Quest. 1] have lost his savour, it is good for nothing, &c. How many sorts of unsavoury Ministers are there?
[Answ. 1] First, blind watch-men, who have no know∣ledge; and therefore are not able to give light unto those who sit in darkenesse, nor eies unto the blind, neither can instruct those who are ig∣norant.
Secondly, hereticall teachers, such as teach [Answ. 2] false and damnable doctrine; such as doe not season but poyson, and destroy the soule, such are the Romish teachers, Priests, Jesuits, and Se∣minaries, who mingle the word of God with their owne inventions, and humane traditi∣ons.
Thirdly, such as preach true doctrine, but yet [Answ. 3] misapply the same, sowing pillowes under the elbowes of the wicked, preaching peace unto them, when they should rather awaken them unto repentance, by discovering unto them their sinnes, and by denouncing the judgements of God against them for their sinnes.
Fourthly, they who though they teach the [Answ. 4] truth, and generally apply it well, doe yet lead ungodly and scandalous lives; for an offensive and unsavoury conversation in the teacher, doth hinder the seasoning vertue of the word of his Ministery in the hearts of the people: his doc∣trine not being able to build up so fast, as his life and conversation pulleth downe; most men not regarding so much what is said by Ministers, as what is done by them; and therefore our Savi∣our here earnestly perswades his Apostles, and under them all Ministers, to take heed that they be not found unsavoury salt.
Why must Ministers bee thus carefull to be in [Quest. 2] their lives and doctrine seasoning salt?
First, because if they be unsavoury salt, they [Answ. 1] will bee a meanes to draw many into euerlasting perdition.
Secondly, because although otherwise they [Answ. 2] be endowed with great and eminent gifts, yet if they be unsavoury salt, they are altogether un∣profitable in the Church of Christ.
Thirdly, because if they bee not savoury salt, [Answ. 3] they shall bee had in contempt, for that is signi∣fied by this phrase of treading under foot.
Fourthly, if they be not seasoning salt, they shall [Answ. 4] bee cast into utter darkenesse where their tor∣ments shall bee greater and more exquisite then the torments of other wicked men And therfore great should the Ministers care be, that his owne soule may bee seasoned with knowledge and grace; that his doctrine may be sound, and his life sincere; that so both by doctrine and ex∣ample they may be instruments to season the hearts, and direct the lives of others.