We see what holiness and perfection St. Paul required in all those that had any public charge in the church of God; we see also how he concluded that those who behaved themselves well and faithfully in office "purchased to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Jesus Christ." When there is good order in the church, and the children of God do their duty faithfully, it is an honour to them, and men think them worthy of reverence. This is not to puff them up and make them proud, but that they may be more and more enabled to serve God, and that men may more willingly hear them, and receive counsel and advice from them. This is the meaning of St. Paul.

Those that do not do their duty as they ought have their mouths stopped; they can do nothing with the people, but are worthily mocked. Although they are old, yet they have no gravity; therefore their doctrine cannot be received. Those that are called to fill offices in the church of God must strive so much the more to do well, and endeavour to serve God and the people of God faithfully. But nowadays the wicked seem to bear the sway, before whom the world, as it were, trembles.

Thus we see that things are much out of order among us. Where is our liberty at the present day? Not in the faith, but in all wickedness, among those that are hardened and past all shame. We see good men oppressed who dare not speak in their own defence. If a man reproves sin, and goes about to redress matters and set them in order, he is beset on all sides by the wicked. We see not many that trouble themselves to maintain a good cause, for every man betrays the truth. We suffer things to go as evil as they can; these are the days spoken of by the prophet Isaiah; righteousness and justice are hunted out from among us, and there is no man that has zeal enough to set himself against wickedness. It may well seem that we have conspired to foster wickedness and bring it to full maturity.

The wrath of God is kindled against us; all things are out of order. Those that walk as becomes Christians, and labour to serve God purely, are marked out as enemies, and men seek to trample them under foot. On the other hand, we see the wicked do what they list; they act as wild beasts; yet men stand in fear of them, and this liberty that is given them makes them the more hardened. When we see such disorder, have we not reason to sigh and be ashamed of ourselves, knowing that God does not rule at all among us, but that the devil has full possession? Shall we boast that we have the gospel? It is true his word is preached among us, but do we not see that it is contemned, and that men make a mock of it? But let them flatter themselves in hardening their hearts against God; yet notwithstanding this doctrine will continue, and will be preached for a witness against us in the latter day, unless the Lord come speedily and reform us.

St. Paul writes these things to Timothy, that if he tarry long before he comes, he may know how to behave himself in the house of God. Here St. Paul exhorts Timothy, and in his person all the faithful, to walk warily and carefully in conformity to the spiritual government of the church. For the house of God, if he dwells therein, is the upholding of its truth. Therefore it is no trifling matter to be called of the Lord to serve him in the office spoken of by St. Paul. We must beware and fail not, seeing God bestows upon us the honour of governing his house: yes, that house wherein he has his abode, and will make known his majesty, which is, as it were, a cabinet where his truth is kept, that it may be maintained and preserved in the world. If the matter stands thus, have not those whom God has thus honoured great occasion to be watchful, and to endeavour to execute the charge committed to them? Thus we see St. Paul's meaning.

But before we go any farther, it will be necessary to put aside the impudence of the papists, who abuse this text in order to establish their own tyranny. For if they can once set up the church of God, they think they have won the field. But they should first prove that theirs is the church of God, which is so difficult a matter for them to do that the contrary is evident. And why so? Because St. Paul says the church is the house of God. They have driven our Lord Jesus Christ out of doors, so that he reigns no more among them as ruler, whereto he was appointed by the Father, who requires that we should do him homage, submitting ourselves wholly to his doctrine.

Do the papists suffer Jesus Christ to govern them purely and peaceably? Nay, I am sure they do not. They coin and stamp whatever they think proper, and whatsoever they decree is taken for articles of belief. They mingle and confound the doctrine of the gospel with notions devised by themselves, so that we may easily see it is not God's house; otherwise Jesus Christ would not be banished therefrom. Moreover St. Paul adds that the church must uphold the truth. But we see in these times that it is oppressed by the tyranny of the pope, where there remains nothing but lies, errors, corruption, and idolatry. Seeing this is the case, we may well conclude that theirs is not the true church of God.

But we will go farther. It was not the meaning of St. Paul, as the papists imagine, that the church cannot err because it is governed by the Holy Ghost, and that whatsoever they think good must be received. But on the contrary, St. Paul observes that the church is the upholder of the truth, because God will have his truth preached by the mouth of men. Therefore he has appointed the ministration of his word, that we might know his will, for God uses this means that men may know his truth and reverence it from age to age. This is the reason why the church is called a pillar.

The papists endeavour to bury the doctrine of the gospel when they say the church cannot err. Let us consider, say they, that God will inspire us; yet in the mean time they leave the word of God, thinking they may wander here and there without committing evil. And why? Oh, the church cannot err. But on the other hand, let us see upon what condition our Lord has honoured his church. St. Paul informs us that he does not bind us to devise what we think good, but he holds us tied and bound to his word; as it is said, Isa. li. 16: "I have put my words in your mouth, and have covered you in the shadow of my hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, You are my people."

How is it that God promises that he will reign in the midst of his people? He does not say that because he inspires them they have leave to coin new articles of faith! No, no; but he says he will put the words of our Lord Jesus Christ into the mouths of such as must preach his name. For that promise was not made for the time of the law only, but is proper for the church of Christ and shall continue to the end of the world. Thus we see how the church must be the pillar to bear up the truth of God.

God will not come down from heaven, neither will he send his angels to bring us revelations from above; but he will be made known to us by his word. Therefore he will have ministers of the church preach his truth and instruct us therein. If we attend not to these things, we are not the church of God; but are guilty, as much as lies in us, of abolishing his truth; we are traitors and murderers. And why so? Because God could maintain his truth otherwise if he would; he is not bound to these means, neither has he any need of the help of men. But he will have his truth made known by such preaching as he has commanded. What then would become of us if we should leave off this preaching? Should we not thereby endeavour to bring this truth to nothing? It is said the gospel, as it is preached, "is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes," Romans i. 16.

And how so? Is it because God has no other means but by the voice of men, in this sound that vanishes away in the air? No, no; but yet he has appointed this means, to the end that when we are restored by his grace, we may attend to the hearing of his word with all reverence. Then shall we feel that his doctrine is not vain and unprofitable, but has its effect, and is of such efficacy as to call us to eternal life. For St. Paul says, Romans x. 17: "Faith comes by hearing." And we know it is faith that quickens our souls, which otherwise would be helpless and lost. Thus let us mark well St. Paul's meaning, whereby we may know how impudent and beastly the papists are, to claim this text in order to establish their tyranny, which is entirely contrary to the meaning of the apostle.

But it is not enough to reprove the papists; we must be edified by the doctrine contained in the text. Therefore, first of all, those that have charge to preach the doctrine of the gospel must take heed to themselves. And why so? Because they are set in God's house to govern it. If a man does any one the honour to put the rule and government of his house and goods in his hands, ought he not to conduct himself in such a manner as to please the one who committed this trust to him? If a prince makes a man overseer of his household, is he not bound to do his duty faithfully? So the living God appoints those that must preach his word in his house and temple; he will have them govern his people in his name and bear the message of salvation. Seeing they are called to this high station, what carefulness and humility ought there to be in them!

Therefore let those that are appointed ministers of the word of God know that they have not only to do with men, but that they are accountable to him who has called them to this high office. Let them not be puffed up with the honour and dignity of their station, but know that they shall be so much the less able to excuse themselves if they walk not uprightly, and that they commit horrible sacrilege and shall have a fearful vengeance of God prepared for them if they labour not to serve him as they ought. First of all we are exhorted to do our duty; God having honoured us who were so unworthy, we ought to labour on our part to fill the office whereunto we are called. When the church is called the house of the living God, it ought to awaken us to walk otherwise than we do.

Why do we sleep in our sins? Why do we run into wickedness? Do we think that God does not see us, that we are far out of his sight and from the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ? Let us remember that the word of God is preached to us, that God dwells among us and is present with us, as our Lord Jesus Christ says, Mat. xviii. 20: "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." And we know, as it is said, Col. ii. 9, that "in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily."

So then, how often soever the devil attempts to rock us to sleep and tie us to the vanities of this world, or tempt us with wicked lusts, we ought to remember this sentence and set it before our eyes: that God dwells in the midst of us, and that we are his house. Now we must consider that God cannot dwell in a foul place; he must have a holy house and temple. And how? Oh, there is no difficulty in setting out ourselves finely that all the world may gaze at us. But God takes no pleasure in all these vanities of the world. Our beautifying must be spiritual; we must be clad with the graces of the Holy Ghost. This is the gold and silver, these are the precious stones spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he describes the temple of God, chap. lx. 6.

Seeing God is so gracious as to have his word preached among us, let us live in obedience to his commands, that he may reside with us, and we be his temple. For this cause let us see that we cleanse ourselves from all our filthiness and renounce it, that we may be a fit place for God's holiness to dwell in. If we attend to these things, we shall reap great joy, seeing our Lord joins himself to us and makes his residence in our souls and bodies. What are we? There is nothing but rottenness in us; I speak not of the body only, but more particularly of the soul, which is still more infected. And yet we see the Lord will build us up, that we may be fit temples for his majesty to reside in. We have great occasion to rejoice by reason of this text, and ought to strive to obtain the pureness which is required by the gospel, because God will have us joined to him and sanctified by his holy Spirit.

Our text says, the church of God is the pillar and ground of the truth. God is not under the necessity of borrowing anything from man, as we before observed; he can cause his truth to reign without our help. But he does us this honour, and is so gracious as to employ us in this worthy and precious calling. He could instruct us without our hearing the voice of man; he could also send his angels, as he did to his servants in ancient times. But he calls and gathers us together in his church; there is his banner which he will set up among his flock; this is the kingly sceptre whereby he will have us ruled.

Therefore God has shut up his truth in the scriptures, and will have it preached and expounded to us daily. For when St. Paul speaks of the truth, he means the doctrine of salvation which God has revealed to us in his word. The apostle says the doctrine of God, which is the incorruptible seed whereby we are born anew to everlasting life, is the truth. This is set forth, Col. i. 5, John xvi. 13, and xvii. 17. St. John often speaks of the gospel by calling it the truth, as if he should say, without it we know nothing, and whatsoever we can comprehend is vain; so that this is the only sure foundation upon which we can rest.

And indeed what would it profit us if we knew all other things and were destitute of the knowledge of our God? If we know not God, are we not more than miserable? But as God has imprinted his image in his word, it is there he presents himself to us, and will have us to behold him as it were face to face, 2 Cor. iii. and iv. Therefore it is not in vain that St. Paul gives this title to the preaching of the word of God, namely that it is the truth. By this means he makes himself known to us; it is also the means of our salvation; it is our life, our riches, and the seed whereby we become the children of God; in short, it is the nourishment of our souls, by which we are quickened.

Therefore let us remember that St. Paul says the truth is maintained among us by the preaching of the gospel, and men are appointed thereunto. First of all we are miserable, as I before observed, if we know not God. And how shall we know him unless we suffer ourselves to be taught by his word? We must learn to seek for this treasure and apply all our labour to find it; and when God is so gracious as to offer it to us, let us receive it as poor beggars starved with hunger. When it pleases him to bestow such a benefit upon us, let us withdraw ourselves from worldly matters, that we may not despise his inestimable blessings.

Seeing the truth of God cannot reign among us unless the gospel be preached, we ought to esteem it highly, knowing that he otherwise holds himself afar off. If these things were observed as they ought to be, we should see more reverence for the doctrine of the word of God. In these days we can hardly tell what the word church means. It is true men boast that the gospel is preached and that there is a reformation according to the Word of God; but while they use this word church, they know not what it means.

Some say they believe there is a universal church; but they speak in language which they do not understand. Such are the papists, who are so ignorant of the word church, being bewitched after the traditions of men and bound by their tyranny, that they cannot understand it, neither dare they inquire what the church of God is. They have their foolish devotions, to which they are so much given that they cannot be brought from them to the right way of salvation. As for us, we have the word of God, but we hardly know how to maintain it. We see what contempt there is cast upon it when it is preached among us, and how it is set at nothing; every man being his own teacher.

Many are glutted, as it were, with the gospel, and think they know more than is necessary; they know so much that they become sensible of their own condemnation. Thus they shall be twice guilty, because they have once tasted the heavenly gifts and are now such contemners of the word of God. We plainly perceive that they cast off all honesty, reverence, and religion, and would be content to have God unknown among them. We ought to be greatly ashamed, seeing God has so enlightened us, that we give ourselves to such wickedness and cause the gospel to be evil spoken of among the ignorant and unbelievers.

If we knew how to profit by what is contained in this place, we should have great reason to rejoice, seeing God will have his truth maintained by the means of preaching. There is nothing in men but wickedness, and yet God will use them for witnesses of his truth, having committed it to their keeping. Although there are but few that preach the word of God, yet notwithstanding this treasury is common to the whole church. Therefore we are keepers of the truth of God; that is to say, of his precious image, of that which concerns the majesty of the doctrine of our salvation, and the life of the world.

When God calls us to so honourable a charge, have we not great reason to rejoice and praise his holy name? Let us remember to keep this treasure safe, that it be not profaned among us. St. Paul speaks not only to instruct those that are called to preach the gospel, but that we may all know what blessings God has bestowed upon us when his word is preached in its purity. Our salvation is a matter of great importance, and we must come to it by means of the gospel. For faith is the life of our souls; as the body is quickened by the soul, so is the soul by faith. So then we are dead until God calls us to the knowledge of his truth. Therefore we need not fear, for God will adopt us for his children if we receive the doctrine of the gospel.

We need not soar above the clouds; we need not travel up and down the earth; we need not go beyond the seas, nor to the bottomless pit, to seek God; for we have his word in our hearts and in our mouths. God opens to us the door of paradise when we hear the promises that are made to us in his name. It is as much as if he reached out his hand visibly and received us for his children. God seals this doctrine by the signs which are annexed to it; for it is certain that the sacraments have a tendency to this end, that we may know that the church is the house of God, in which he is resident, and that his truth is maintained thereby.

When we are baptized in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are brought into God's household; it is the mark of our adoption. Now he cannot be our Father unless we are under his divine protection and governed by his holy Spirit, as we have an evident witness in baptism, and a greater in the Lord's Supper; that is, we have a plain declaration that we are joined to God and made one with him. For our Lord Jesus Christ shows us that we are his body, that every one is a member, that he is the head whereby we are nourished with his substance and virtue. As the body is not separate from the head, so Jesus Christ shows us that his life is common with ours, and that we are partakers of all his benefits.

When we behold this, is it not enough to make the truth of God precious to us? Is it not a mirror in which we may see that God not only dwells among us but that he also dwells in every one of us? God, having made us one with our Lord Jesus Christ, will not suffer us to be separated from him in any way whatsoever. Therefore when we have this inestimable honour conferred upon us, should we not be ravished, as it were, and learn more and more to withdraw ourselves from the corruptions of this world, and truly show that it is not in vain that the Son of God will have us belong to him! How are we made one with our Lord Jesus Christ? By being pilgrims in this world, passing through it as true citizens of heaven. St. Paul says, Eph. ii. 19: "You are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God."

When he exhorts us to withdraw from all wicked affections, he calls us to our Saviour Jesus Christ, who is our life, who is in heaven; must we not then take pains to come unto him? Now let us meditate upon this subject with solemnity, seeing we are to celebrate the Lord's Supper next sabbath. Let us see how we are disposed, for God will not have us come to him as liars and deceivers. Therefore let us see if we are disposed to receive God, not as a guest that travels by the way, but as him that has chosen us for his dwelling place forever; yes, as him that has dedicated us to himself as his temples, that we may be as a house built upon a rock. We must receive God by faith and be made truly one with our Lord Jesus Christ, as I have already shown.

And are these things practised among us? Nay; on the contrary, we seem to despise God, and as it were put Jesus Christ to flight, that he may no more be acquainted with us. Observe the disorder that is among us; should I enumerate the difficulties, where should I make an end? Let every one open his eyes! It is impossible for us to think of the confusion that reigns among us nowadays without being amazed, if we have any fear of God before us. Men flatter and please themselves in their sins, and have become as stocks and stones; so that in us is fulfilled that which was spoken by the prophet; namely, that we have a spirit of drunkenness, and a spirit of slumber, and can discern nothing.

As I have already observed, if we had any fear of God before our eyes, we should be cast down in ourselves, and not only be ashamed, but detest such confusion as is seen among us both in public and private. We see men so far out of the way that one would think they were disposed to lift up themselves against God and do contrary to his will. Thus it seems that the word of God serves to harden men in wickedness, for they seem to be at defiance with him both in public and private, as I have already observed. We daily hear blasphemies, perjuries, and other contempts of God's name; we see that there is disorder among us, that we are so far from honouring God that many act as hypocrites, while others withdraw themselves from all order of the church and are worse than the Turks and Heathens.

As for my part, I may say that I am ashamed to preach the word of God among you, seeing there is so much confusion and disorder manifested. And could I have my wish, I would desire God to take me out of this world. We may boast that we have a reformation among us and that the gospel is preached to us, but all this is against us unless we attend to the duty which God has enjoined upon us. It is long ago that God warned us, and it is to be feared he will speak no more in mercy, but will raise his mighty arm against us in judgment.

Therefore let us take heed to ourselves, for these things are not spoken to stir us up against God, but that we may know our faults, and learn to be more and more displeased with ourselves, that we may not become hardened against God. For he calls us to repentance and shows that he is ready to receive us to mercy if we return and embrace the promises, and fear the threatenings, contained in his gospel. Those that are in public office ought to be diligent in their duty, that justice may not be violated. Those that are appointed ministers of the word should have a zeal to purge out all filthiness and pollution from among the people.

We should so examine and cleanse ourselves, that when we receive the Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ we may be more and more confirmed in his grace, that we may be ingrafted into his body and be truly made one with him, that all the promises we perceive in the gospel may be better confirmed in us. We must know that he is our life, and that we live in him as he dwells in us; and thus we know that God owns and takes us for his children. Therefore we should be the more earnest to call upon him, and trust in his goodness, that he may so govern us by his holy Spirit that poor ignorant creatures may through our example be brought into the right way. For we see many at this day who are in the way to destruction. May we attend to what God has enjoined upon us, that he would be pleased to show his grace, not only to one city or a little handful of people, but that he would reign over all the world, that every one may serve and worship him in spirit and in truth.