Shecinah, or, A demonstration of the divine presence in the places of religious worship being an essay, tending to promote piety, prevent apostacy, and to reduce grosly deluded souls, first to their right wits, then to the right waies, of Gods publick instituted worship / by John Stillingfleete ...

CHAP. IX. Gods Presence in his Worship by his ministers. The truths of God must be heard though from ungodly Preachers. Ministers are Gods Embassadors. Stewards of the my∣steries of God. Four requisites in Gospel Stewards. Ministers are Co-workers with God. How God and man work together in the conversion of Souls, and production of saving Faith.

§ 1. I Now proceed to a Third Argu∣ment to prove the presence of God in places of religious worship. [Arg. 3] God is pre∣sent in the places of his worship, by his

Embassadors, the Ministers of the Gospel. Ministers of the Gospel, as well as Mini∣sters of State, speak the vertual pre∣sence of their Lord and Master. When Gods Majesty will not suffer us to see his face and live. 'Tis Gods mercy to speak to us by his servants the Ministers of the Gos∣pel. And Gods Ministers being engaged in Gods work, do vertually speak Gods Pre∣sence. As Mr. Calvin hath observed,* 1.1 Deus certo praesentiae suae symbolo favorem erga nos suum testatur, quoties spiritus sui dolibus il lustrat, & in medium producit fidos probos∣que Doctores. That God doth give a signal witnesse of his singular favour towards us, by a certain token of his Divine Presence, as often as he enlightens by the gifts of his Spirit, and sends amongst us faithful and Pious teachers. And the reason why they evidence Gods Presence, is this, because 'tis not their own, but Gods work they are about. Wee pray you in Christs stead, bee yee reconciled to God.* 1.2 A Minister pressing re∣conciliation unto God, to his Auditors, e∣ven to thee in particular,* 1.3 facit praesentem Christum te habere, Hee makes even thee to have Christ present with thee. Christ cryes aloud in the Sermons of those that are his faithful servants, the Ministers of the

Gospel; and in hearing them, wee hear Christ, and in rejecting them, wee reject Christ himself. Hee that heareth you, heareth mee;* 1.4 and he that despiseth you, despiseth mee, and hee that despiseth mee, despiseth him that sent mee. Here 'tis plain and clear, that Christ by his ministers speaketh unto us, they are but Christs Vicegerents, they su∣stain Christs Person; And therefore he will have the Word of God by them delivered, heard so, as if Christ himself were perso∣nally present and did Officiate amongst them. Wee are not to look upon Gospel Ministers as meer men: 'tis true in them∣selves they are so, in their worke they are not; for so wee are to consider, that Christ speaks to us by them. Thus God sent Sa∣muel to Eli with an unsavoury message,* 1.5 yet Eli received this, not because Samuel spoke it, but because he brought Gods message, as being Gods Embassador, and bearing his Person. It is the Lord let him do what seem∣eth to him good. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 It's Jehovahs message,* 1.6 but Samuels voyce. Samuel speaks, but God is present; Let God do what seem∣eth good in his eyes.

§ 2. This is so certain a Truth, that if the Minister be bad, yet if hee preach the pure Word of God, wee must receive the Word,

because wee are not so much to regard the man preaching, as the Word preached. An Earthen Vessel not well wrought, may serve to convey pure and clean water. God for∣bid I should Apologize for any wicked and ungodly Ministers, to boulster them up in the least ungodliness or profaneness. I plead not (I say) for any wicked ones,* 1.7 to be employed in the sacred work of an holy God; onely to keep souls right in their du∣ty. 'Tis not the person, but the office; not the man, but his Ministry; not his life, but his Doctrine, wee are to look to. For as one observes very well upon Caiphas his propesying that year that hee was High Priest, Joh. 11.51.* 1.8 God oftentimes honours the Office, and so orders, that a wicked person in a good Office, may perform some∣what helping forward our Salvation. If God doth a good work by bad men, wee must not reject the work for the persons sake, but wee must rather embrace the good of∣fered or done by bad men, and leave them to stand, or fall, to their own Master. When Christ sent out his twelve Apostles to preach, of all of them hee saith; Hee that receiveth you, receiveth mee.* 1.9 Yet one of these was Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. Wee plainly see by Christs own

words, wee may receive Christ by the Mini∣stry of a Judas, a Traytor, I might say, a Devil: The expression 'tis true is harsh, but our Saviour fears not to speak thus of one whom hee had personally sent to preach the Gospel; one of you is a Devil, meaning Judas. Nay the Scripture makes no difference between Judas and the other Disciples in the success of the Ministry; they all twelve were sent out, they all did miracles, they all cast out Devils, they all returned to Christ, and gave him an account of their success. To them all Christ said, Hee had ordained they should go out,* 1.10 viz. in preaching, and bear much fruit, viz. in their Ministry. And Phil. 3. There were salse Apostles who preached Christ out of en∣vy. Supposing to add more affliction and persecution to Paul, which must needs be an high degree of malice and wickedness; Yet Paul said, hee rejoyced that Christ was preached how-ever, Which could not be if their preaching did no good. Thus wee see, that seed which is sown by a foul diseased hand may bring forth fruit, as well as that which is sown by a clean hand. Give mee leave to allude to that passage, 1 King. 17.6. God there in a time of hunger and want, commands the Ravens (unclean

Birds) to feed the Prophet Elijah. The Ravens brought him bread and flesh, morn∣ing and evening. They were Ravens, un∣clean by the Law of Moses, not Doves, yet Elijah refuses not the meat, because God sends them.* 1.11 This Chemnitius thinks hath a mystery, that God is wont sometimes to afford to his people the wholesome food of his Word, by the hands of wicked and un∣godly men. Thou therefore, hear, receive, and mingle by Faith what thou hearest, take whatsoever God sendeth, as from the hand of God. Be it a Raven, or a Dove, thou needest not trouble thy self, so the food come from God. Elijah might have starv∣ed, if hee had refused the food, because the Ravens brought it. So mayest thou starve thy soul by nourishing prejudices against the Minister that is sent with food for thy soul from God, and then refuse the Word, because thou dislikest something in the Ministers person. And indeed if this prin∣ciple once prevail, That a Minister ought not to be heard that is ungodly; Though hee preaches nothing but sound doctrine. It would lay a certain foundation for Sepa∣ration from the outward means and Ordi∣nances, at least from the administration of them, as now they are enjoyed. For the

case would presently return hither, as it is with many already, not whether the Mi∣nister be really ungodly or no, but whether hee seems so to them; and if hee answers not those characters of Godliness, they have laid down then they are obliged to hear him no more. Such sad works do bad principles, and erronious consciences make in the Church of God. A sad example of this may be seen among the Quakers, who upon the sore-mentioned principle, reject and throw off all the now Ministers in England, mak∣ing no difference; because they are all un∣godly, being all guilty of that great abomi∣nation, and sinful oppression of taking Tithes. How much better may wee deter∣mine thus, Officium est Sanctum & honore dignissimum licet Ministri sunt peccatores. The office of the Ministry is sacred, and most worthy of honour, though Ministers may be ungodly. The promise of Christs Presence is made to persons for the office sake, and not to the office for the persons, and so to the office more than to the per∣sons. Loe I am with you alway to the end of the world.* 1.12 Christs promise was to the office primarily, secondarily to those that then were, and successively should be entred into it, to do Christs service, and preach the

Gospel, as the Apostles did. Go preach the Gospel, and loe I am with you alway to the end of the world. However, 'tis certain Christ promiseth his presence here, which is peculiar to the Church of God, and so it clears that which wee are upon, that God is present in his worship by his Mini∣sters. Three things I shall add to clear this.

§ 3. 1. Gospel Ministers are Gods Em∣bassadors; this speaks Gods Presence by them.* 1.13 Now therefore wee are Embassadors for Christ. The very office of an Embas∣sador, is to be but a Vicarius to another; Hee is a Proxy to his Master, and bears his person; who is sometimes thus described, Legatus est officialis, qui alterius locum te∣net.* 1.14 An Embassador is such an Officer as supplies the place of another; thence cal∣led by the Greeks 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, one that stands in anothers stead. Thus the Mini∣sters stand in Christs stead. For

1. As Embassadors they act onely upon Christs Commission, None takes this honour upon him, but hee that is called of God,* 1.15 as Aaron was. 'Tis an honour to be employ∣ed as Christs Embassador, and none must take this honour upon them, but those that are called of God. Gospel-Ministers, that

have Christs Mission, and Christs Com∣mission, they in their Preaching represent Christs Person.

2. As Embassadors, they deliver Christs Message. God is present where his Word and Mind is declared. It is the Lord, sayes Eli, when Samuel speaks to him, because it was the Word of God hee spake to him. The Word of the Lord, where that came to the Prophets, they then could appear in the place of God amongst the people. I have put my words into thy mouth, sayes God to Jeremy.* 1.16 They are Gods Words that Gods Embassadors do declare; therefore the Apostle Paul sayes,* 1.17 Hee that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God. They are much mistaken,* 1.18 sayes Rollock, who in the preach∣ing of the Gospel, think they have to do onely with men, and not with God. The Apostle plainly confutes such. The man preaches indeed, but 'tis Gods Word hee delivers; and contempt of that, is not on man onely, but mainly upon God himself. Hee despiseth not man, that is, not so much Man, as God.

§ 4. 2. Gospel-Ministers are Gods Stewards; this speaks Gods Presence. Let a man so account of us as the Ministers of Christ,* 1.19 as the Stewards of the Mysteries of

God. When great men cannot dispatch their business personally, they employ their Stewards; what they do, is done as by the Master himself. Christ our great Lord and Master is present now in Heaven, hee hath sent his Ministers to be his Stewards, to dispatch his work, in Preaching the Gospel, and converting of souls. 'Tis no ordinary Stewardship, that of the Ministry, they are Stewards of the Mysteries of God.* 1.20 So had the Heathens their Mysteries; the Mysteries of Cybelle, who was termed the Mother of the Gods, in Samothracia of Hecate in ma∣ny places; of Ceres, and Proserpina, in Afri∣ca; of Bacchus in Boeotia; of Orphsus up and down in Graecia; of Isis in Egypt, and in many other places; and these were all performed unto the Devil. For as hee ob∣serves, Mirum dictu, & cogitatu horren∣dum, quantopere Satan olim, per illa quae di∣cebantur Mysteria, hominibus illuserat. It was wondrous to think, and horrible to speak, how much Satan heretofore had de∣luded men, by those things which were cal∣led Mysteries. Thus Antichrist too hath his Mysteries. The Whore of Babylon, hath Mystery written in her fore-head, because her Kingdome is full of Mysteries. But these are the Mysteries of God,* 1.21 that Gos∣pel-Ministers

are Stewards of. Wee speak the Wisdome of God in a Mystery.* 1.22 The Word of the Gospel for salvation of souls, these Mysteries therein contained do Ministers preach. And without controversie great is that Mystery of Godliness, they are Ste∣wards of.

§ 5. Aristotle in his Oeconomicks requires four things in Stewards, all which are ne∣cessary requisites in Gospel-Ministers.

1. They must have 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, good skill and knowledge. Thus must Ministers be well skilled in the Word where the Myste∣ries of God are recorded. Its an ill Ste∣ward, that knows not how to use his Masters Treasure; for the best advantage: Hee wants a great requisite of a Gospel-Ste∣ward, that knows not where to finde, or how to use the great Treasures of Heaven, that are reposed in the Scriptures, for the good of souls. It was but a poor commen∣dation of Carolostadius that at eight years standing Doctor;* 1.23 Hee never had read the Scriptures, but then first set upon the study of them. Another great Doctor and Di∣vine being asked about the Decalogue, an∣swered, hee never had that Book so much as in his Library. Rare Stewards indeed of Gods Mysteries, when they know not what they are!

2. They must have 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 bonam indo∣lem, a good temper. Hypocrisie is but an ill-becoming garment for a Steward of Christ to wear. Every Saint should have his garment dyed white in the blood of the Lamb, much more should Christs Stewards; they should be clothed with the white Robe of Sincerity, to act unfeignedly for Gods glory.

3. They must have 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, constan∣cy of labour, assiduity in taking pains. Thus Ministers must be labourers, if Christs Stewards; they must give themselves to the things of the Gospel; daily labours in the things of God, make Ministers of a good conscience, oft-times appear with no good countenance. There is onus, as well as ho∣nos in the work of the Ministry, whatever slight thoughts, ignorant slanderers may have of it. 'Tis laborious, as well as honourable, to be a Steward of Christ.

4. They must have 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Righte∣ousness. Thus Christs Stewards must be righteous, as well as learned and labori∣ous. For a Bishop must be blameless as the Steward of God.* 1.24 Life and Doctrine must agree, that hee may not pull down with one hand, what hee builds with another. Though I have formerly shewed that hearers must

not reject Gospel-Truths, though hee that brings them be ungodly; yet withall, Mi∣nisters must know, that if they are really such, of all other men they are the worst, and their condemnation will be the grea∣test. Let mee leave with such, one Latine sentence, out of which they may easily pick plain English;* 1.25 Pessima creaturarum visibilium est homo degener, pessimus hominum pseudo-Christianus, Christianorum vero pessimus, nequam Verbi Minister. The above-named particulars, are some qualifications of Gos∣pel-Stewards; Christ is signally present in his Ordinances, when his Stewards are faithful dispensers of the Word.

§ 6. 3. Gospel-Ministers are co-workers together with God; this speaks Gods Pre∣sence with them.* 1.26 Wee therefore as workers together with him, beseech you not to receive the Grace of God in vain. For wee are la∣bourers together with God, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. If Ministers are fellow-labourers together with God, in the doing good to souls, then certainly God is present in his Worship by his Ministers.* 1.27 They went forth and preached every where, the Lord working with them.

1. Ministers do work together with God. Behold here is infinite condiscention of

God towards Ministers, that God, who can with one word convert and save souls, as well as create a world, yet should vouch∣safe to admit men his fellow-workers for the conversion of souls. 'Tis true,* 1.28 Dei opus est regignere hominem, 'tis Gods work to regenerate and convert souls, but God pleases to use the Ministers as his Instru∣ments in the work: And God by the secret grace, and virtue, and power of the Spirit, works in them, and by them: Hee joyns himself to the Ministers, resigns not his right, but only communicates his power with them, and graceth his Instruments with the honour and title of the work. Thus God doth not onely speak to us after the manner of men, but also by the Ministry of men,* 1.29 and that so, that they by their Ministry are said 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to save us. Therefore

2. The Lord truly works together with the Ministers.* 1.30 The Lord working with them. It is an high priviledge onely to be the Servants of God, in the work of the Mi∣nistry; but this is common to us with other Saints: But to be Fellow-labourens with God in the salvation of souls, this is a peece of singular favour God vouchsafes to Gospel-Ministers. The Angels are Gods Servants too, being his Ministring Spirits, but to

which of the Angels hath God said at any time they are his fellow-labourers? Both waies the Presence of God is evidenced, with the Ministers of the Gospel.

§ 7. Object. But is it not derogatory to God, to have Man as a co-worker with him, in the conversion of souls? is not Faith, by which wee are saved, the gift of God?

Answ. 1. God is the principal cause, man onely by the Ministry of the Word is the instrumental cause, and so Gods glory, and mans duty, may very well stand toge∣ther.

2. In saving Faith, wee must distinguish these two things.

First, There is the knowledge of the things to be beleeved.

Secondly, An assent of the heart to those credenda, or things to be beleeved.

First, Then the knowledge of things to be beleeved, ariseth from the word preach∣ed by Gospel-Ministers. Gospel saving knowledge is not communicated now a∣daies, by revelations, and immediate inspi∣rations, but by the Word preached and heard.* 1.31 How shall they beleeve on him, of whom they have not heard, and how shall they hear without a Preacher? Now Ministers are co-workers with God, because Faith

depends on the Word preached by them, as a necessary Instrument, for its produ∣ction, as to the knowledge of things to be beleeved.

Secondly, As for that Internal Assent of the heart, whereby a Beleever doth firmly apprehend, and comfortably apply the Do∣ctrine propounded, of things to be beleeved; this ariseth from the habit of Faith infused by Gods Spirit. The Doctrine of Faith, is preached and promulged by men, herein they are co-workers with God: But the habit of Faith, that is infused and implan∣ted by God alone, without any concur∣rence of the Preacher; Thus it is the gift of God. Man propounds truths to the soul by his preaching; God by his Spirit makes us beleeve those Truths preached and pro∣pounded. Thus have I cleared the third Argument.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Calvin in Deut. 18.17.
• * 1.2

  2 Cor. 5.20.
• * 1.3

  Aretius in L.
• * 1.4

  Luk. 10.16.
• * 1.5

  1 Sam. 3.11. &c.
• * 1.6

  1 Sam. 3.18
• * 1.7

  See § 5. of this chap.
• * 1.8

  Schmidius. Not. & A∣nimad. in N. T. in Joh. 11.51
• * 1.9

  Mat. 10.40 Vers 4.
• * 1.10

  An. Bur∣gesse soi∣rit. refi∣ning. p. 504 Joh. 15.16
• * 1.11

  Chemnit. Harmon. in Evangelia.
• * 1.12

  Mat. 28 20
• * 1.13

  2 Cor. 5.20
• * 1.14

  Martin. Lex Philo∣log.
• * 1.15

  Heb. 5 4
• * 1.16

  Jer. 1.9.
• * 1.17

  1 Thes. 4.8
• * 1.18

  R. Rolloc. in Locum.
• * 1.19

  1 Cor. 4.1
• * 1.20

  Is. Casa••b. exercit. 16. § 43
• * 1.21

  Rev. 17.5
• * 1.22

  1 Cor. 2.7
• * 1.23

  Amam. Aulibarb. Bibli p. 47
• * 1.24

  Tit. 1.7
• * 1.25

  Arrows. Tas. Sacra.
• * 1.26

  2 Cor. 6.1 1 Cor. 3 9
• * 1.27

  Mark 16.••0
• * 1.28

  Grotius in Ep. ad Phi∣lem. v. 10.
• * 1.29

  Rom. 11.14
• * 1.30

  Mark 16.20
• * 1.31

  Rom. 10.14 See Rom. 1.16