Thomas Manton · 18 of 67
Verse 3. · Part 4
2. Who must strive, and in what manner. I answer—All in their place, and in that way that is proper to them.
[1.] Private Christians must have a share in this holy contention; their duty is partly—(1.) To search out the truth, that they may not fight blindfold, or by an unhappy mistake lavish out their zeal upon fancies which they affect, or and doctrines of men. People are never so furious as when they have least ground and reason for what they assert; yea, and error never prevaileth so much as when Christians are all flame and affection without judgment, and do not understand the reasons of that religion which they do profess. See 1 Peter iii. 15, ‘A reason of the hope that is in you;’ and 2 Peter iii. 17, ἴδιον στήριγμον, ‘their own steadfastness;’ that is, such a steadfastness as doth arise from solid grounds in their own hearts, and not merely from the consent of others. (2.) To own the profession of the truth, whatever it cost them. I say, it is their duty to own the profession of the truth; for the public owning of the people it is a great let and restraint to tyranny, and such innovations as otherwise a magistrate would introduce into the church by force and power. See Acts iv. 21, they let them go because of the people; so Mat. xiv. 5, and xxi. 46. And again, I say they must own it whatever it cost them, for zealous defences are a great honour to the truth. The disputations of the doctors do not commend it to the world so much as the death of the martyrs; and therefore, though you cannot dispute for the truth, yet you should die for the truth: ‘Ye have not yet resisted unto blood,’ &c., Heb. xii. 4. We cannot be at too much cost to preserve so precious a treasure to posterity. And here even women may put in a share; they have lives to sacrifice upon the interest of the truth, and usually they do not fall in vain. (3.) To honour the truth by their conversations: there are heretical manners as well as heretical doctrines; and-there are many that are otherwise of an orthodox belief, yet make others sectaries and disciples of their vices: some live atheism; there are in practice; an apostate is a practical . Therefore Christians are called to ‘hold forth the word of life’ in their conversations, Phil, ii. 16; and to ‘make the doctrine of God the Saviour comely,’ Titus ii. 10, by glorifying God in that course of life to which they are disposed. To preach and write for the truth doth not honour it so much as to ‘walk in the truth,’ 3 John 4; and the life is a better witness of the reality of religion than the tongue. (4.) To comprise all in a few words, whatever maketh for the truth, either with God or men, all that must the people do: ‘We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth,’ saith Paul, 2 Cor. xiii. 8. To God you must pray, that he would send forth not only labourers, but champions, Mat. ix. 38; not only such as can handle the trowel, but the sword in the battles of the church. To men, you are to those that have gifts to look to their duty in this kind: ‘Say to Archippus, Take heed to thy ministry which thou hast received in the Lord,’ Col. iv. 17. Many may be stirred up by your exhortations, that otherwise would lie useless in idleness and privacy: in the battle the trumpeter hath his use as well as the soldier. Neither are they to be admonished only, but assisted; and by that means you have an interest in the glory of the work: 3 John 8, ‘We ought to receive such, that we may be fellow-helpers to the truth;’ σύνεργοι, co-workers; your helping hand is to the action, and God will not be unmindful of it: yea, if you bear any part of the toil, by performing any labour of love to them, it shall turn to a good account in the day of the Lord. Hezekiah’s servants did but copy out the proverbs, and it is mentioned to their praise, Prov. xxv. 1. All this may be done by persons of a private gift and station.
[2.] There is something that the magistrate may do: ‘He is the minister of God for good.’ Rom. xiii. 4; not only for good civil, but spiritual; and therefore doth the apostle bid us pray for them, that they may be keepers of both the tables: 1 Tim. ii. 2, ‘That we may lead a quiet life under them, in all godliness and honesty.’ Heathens have asserted, that it belongeth to the magistrates’ duty chiefly to look after matters of religion; much more is it evident by the light of Christianity. The kings of the Old Testament are commended for their zeal in this kind; and in the times of the gospel it is prophesied that ‘kings shall be the church’s nursing fathers, and queens her nursing mothers,’ Isa. xlix. 23, which they cannot be if they suffer poison to be given to God’s little ones without any let and restraint. It is a clear truth that if a man give up himself to Christ, he is to give up himself to him in every relation; his wit, wealth, parts, authority, all to be laid out for the use and service of Christ: he that doth not give up all, giveth nothing; we are to be Christ’s in every capacity. Therefore a magistrate as a magistrate must not only countenance religion, but also discountenance error, and hinder the spreading of it within his charge. It is by Christ that ‘kings reign,’ Prov. viii. 15, from him they received their power, and to him must they give an account of the exercise of it in the great day of recompenses; therefore they are bidden to ‘be wise and to kiss the Son,’ Ps. ii. 10-12, which certainly noteth more than a negative act or not opposing: there must be something positive, a zealous defence of the truth in their way, or else God will reckon with them. Those Gallios that are indifferent to Christ and antichrist cannot expect a long and happy reign. I cannot see how they can be true to civil interest unless they be careful for the suppression of error; for when false doctrines are freely vented, it is to be supposed they will find a general reception, for the most are the worst; and then, when the generality of a nation are corrupted, national judgments will not long be kept off, the whole body is sure to smart for it; for, as the Jewish proverb is, two dry sticks will set a green one on fire. Besides that error is masterly and bloody, and loveth to give law; therefore, it be too late, they should look to the civil peace, for if men be quiet, God will not, when his honour and truth and worship is neglected. But of this more hereafter.
[3.] Ministers are to contend for the truth, for by their office and station in the church they are captains of the people in this war against Satan and his adherents; therefore it is required of them that they should be able to handle the sword and the trowel; not only to ‘exhort by sound doctrine,’ but to ‘convince the gainsayers,’ Titus i. 9. These are πίστοι ἄνθρωποι, 2 Tim. ii. 2, ‘The faithful men,’ the feoffees in trust, to whom truth is committed; they are the salt of the earth, Mat. v. 13, those that must season the world with gracious principles; therefore they must above all others labour in the defence of the truth, otherwise they are compared to ‘dumb dogs that bark not’ when the thieves come to steal away the treasure, Isa. lvi. 10, 11. Now ministers must contend, partly by preaching, warning the people of the wolves that are abroad, Acts xx. 29; partly by disputing, Acts xv. 2, and xviii. 28, that by the knocking of flints light may fly out, and that truth may beat its enemy hand to hand in the open field; and partly by writing, for many times disputes are carried on with so much tumult and popular noise, that truth is lost in the crowd; besides, by this means we are a help to posterity, that, together with the poison, the antidote may be transmitted to them.
