The Beatitudes

p. 1THE BEATITVDES, Or a Discourse upon Christs Sermon ON THE MOUNT.

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him.

And he opened his mouth, and taught them.

The Introduction into the ensuing Discourse.

THE blessed Evangelist Saint Matthew, the Penman of this Sacred History was at first by profession a Publican or gatherer of Toll [Publicani aut vectigaliarii. Cael. Rhod. Antiq.] ; and Christ having called him from the Custom-house, made him a gatherer of souls. This holy man in the first Chapter sets down p. 2Christs birth and Genealogy; in the second his dignity; a Starre ushers in the Wisemen to him, and as a King he is presented with Gold and Frankincense and Myrrhe, ver. 9, 11. In the third Chapter the Evangelist records his Baptisme; in the fourth his tentations; in the fifth his preaching; which Chapter is like a rich mine, every veine hath some gold in it. There are four things in this Chapter which offer themselves to our view.

1. The Preacher.

2. The Pulpit.

3. The Occasion.

4. The Sermon.

[1. The Preacher.] 1. The Preacher. Jesus Christ. The best of Preachers.

He went up.] He, in whom there was a combination of vertues, a constellation of beauties; He whose lips were not only sweet as the hony-comb, but did drop as the hony-comb; his words an Oracle, his works a Miracle, his life a Pattern, his death a Sacrifice, He went up into a mountain and taught. Jesus Christ was every way enobled and qualified for the work of the Ministry.

1. Christ was an intelligent Preacher. He had the Spirit without measure, John 3.34. and knew how to speak a word in due season, when to humble, when to comfort. We cannot know all the faces of our hearers, Christ knew the hearts of his hearers, He understood what Doctrine would best suit with them; as the husbandman can tell what sort of graine is proper for such a soyle.

2. Christ was a powerful Preacher, He spake with authority, Matth. 7.29. He could set mens sinnes before p. 3them, and show them their very hearts, John 4.29. Come see a man which told me all things which ever I did. That is the best Glasse not which is most richly set with Pearle, but which shows the truest face; Christ was a Preacher to the conscience, He breathed as much zeal as eloquence; he often touched upon the heart-strings. What is said of Luther, is more truly applicable to Christ, He spake as if he had been within a man. He could drive the wedge of his Doctrine in the most knotty piece; He was able with his two-edged sword to pierce an heart of stone. Never man spake like this man, John 7.46.

p. 33. Christ was a successeful Preacher; He had the Art of converting souls. John 10.40. Many beleeved on him; yea, persons of rank and quality, John 12.42. Among the chief Rulers many beleeved. He who had Grace poured into his lips, Psalm 45.2. could pour grace into his hearers hearts; He had the Key of David in his hand, and when he pleased did open the hearts of men, and make way both for himself and his Doctrine to enter. If he did blow the Trumpet his very enemies would come under his Banner, upon his Summons none durst but surrender.

4. Christ was a lawful Preacher; as He had his Unction from his Father, so his Mission, John 8.18. The Father that sent me bears witnesse of me. Christ (in whom were all perfections concentred, yet,) would be solemnly sealed, and inaugurated into his Ministerial as wel as Mediatory Office; if Jesus Christ would not enter upon the work of the Ministry without a Commission, how absurdly impudent are they who without any warrant dare invade this holy Fuction! There must be a lawful admission of men into the Ministry [Nemo in Ecclesia debet publice concionari nisi rite vocatus. Austin.] . Heb. 5.4. No man taketh this honour to himself, but he that is p. 4called of God, as was Aaron. Our Lord Christ as he gave Apostles and Prophets which were extraordinary Ministers, so Pastors and Teachers which were initiated and made in an ordinary way, Ephes. 4.11. and He will have a Ministry perpetuated, Matth. 28.20. Lo I am with you alway even unto the end of the world. Sure, there is as much need of Ordination now, as in Christs time, and the time of the Apostles, there being then extraordinary gifts in the Church which are now ceased.

Object. 1. But why should not the Ministry lye in common? Hath the Lord spoken only by Moses? Num. 12.2. Why should not one preach as well as another?

Answ. Because God (who is the God of order) hath made the work of the Ministry a select distinct Office from any other. As in the body natural the members have a distinct office, the eye is to see, the hand to work; you may as well say, why should not the hand see as well as the eye? because God hath made the distinction, He hath put the visive faculty into the one, and not the other. So here, God hath made a distinction between the work of the Ministry and other work.

p. 4Quest. Where is this distinction?

Answ. 1. We finde in Scripture a distinction between Pastor and People, 1. Pet. 5.2. The Elders (or Ministers) I exhort, Feed the flock of God which is among you. If any one may preach, by the same rule all may, and then what will become of the Apostles distinction? Where will the flock of God be if all be Pastors?

2. God hath cut out the Minister his work which is proper for him, and doth not belong to any other. 1 Tim. 4.13. Give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine, give thy self wholly to them; or as it is in the Greek, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, be thou wholly in them. This charge p. 5is peculiar to the Minister, and doth not concern any other. It is not spoken to the Tradesman that he should give himself wholly to Doctrine and Exhortation, no, let him look to his shop; it is not spoken to the plough-man that he should give himself wholly to preaching, no, let him give himself to his plough. It is the Ministers charge; the Apostle speaks to Timothy, and in him, to the rest who had the hands of the Presbytery laid on them; and 2 Tim. 2.15. Study to shew thy self approved, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, rightly dividing the word of truth. This is spoken peculiarly to the Minister. Every one that can read the Word aright, cannot divide the Word aright. So that the work of the Ministry doth not lye in common, it is a select, peculiar work. As none might touch the Arke but the Priests; none may touch this Temple-office but such as are called to it.