public order of things, which God hath designed to his own glory.

$5. The observance of these duties the apostle presseth on them, because "with such sacrifices God is well pleased." He still calls our Christian duties by the name of sacrifices, seeing they have the general nature of sacrifices, as to cost and parting with what is ours. And, indeed, all things done for God, to his glory, and which is accepted with him, may be so called. The force of the motive consists in this, that "with these sacrifices (εvape sεila o OEOs) "God is well pleased;" there is a clear intimation of the special pleasure of God in these things; he is well pleased with it in an especial manner.

§6. "Obey them that have the rule over you." This is the third instance of duties required in our Christian profession, on the account of the sacrifice of Christ, and our sanctification by his blood. Let us go forth— let us sacrifice, and let us obey.

A few things may be here premised:

1. There is a supposition of a settled church state among them to whom the apostle wrote, see chap. x, 24, 25; for there were among them rulers and the ruled.

2. The epistle was written immediately to the community of the faithful, or body of the fraternity in the church, as distinguished from their rulers and guides, ver. 24.

3. The special duty here prescribed extends to all that concerns church rule and order; for all springs from the "due obedience of the church to its rulers," and their due discharge of their office.

$7. "Them that have the rule over you," (т015 18 Hevos upar) your guides or leaders; who rule, not with magisterial power or rigid authority; but with spiritual

care and benignity, which were then of two sorts, 1 Tim. v, 17; such as, together with rule, labored also in the word and doctrine, and such as attended to rule only. Those here intended were the ordinary elders, or officers of the church, which were then settled among them.

It is with respect to their teaching, or pastoral feeding, that they are commanded to obey them; for the word (Teboμa) signifies obedience on a persuasion; such as doctrine, instruction, or teaching produceth. And the submission required (UTEIXEE) submit your selves, respects their rule; obey their doctrine, and submit to their rule. Some things must be remarked to clear the apostle's intention:

1. It is not a blind implicit obedience and subjection, that is here prescribed; for there is nothing more contrary to the whole nature of gospel obedience, which is our reasonable service.

2. It respects them in their office only. If those who suppose themselves in office, teach and enjoin things that belong not to their office, there is no obe dience due to them by virtue of this command.

3. It is their duty so to obey, whilst they "teach the things which the Lord Jesus Christ hath appointed them to teach," Matt. xxviii, 20, and to submit to their rule, whilst it is exercised in the name of Christ according to the word, and not otherwise. When they depart from these, there is neither obedience, nor submission, due to them. Wherefore,

4. In the performance of these duties, there is supposed a judgment to be made of what is enjoined or taught by the word of God; and our obedience to them must be obedience to God.

5. On this supposition their word is to be obeyed, and their rule submitted to; not only because they are true

and right materially; but also because they are theirs and conveyed from them by divine institution. A regard is to be had to their authority and office power, in what they teach and do.

§8. "For they watch for your souls, as they that must give account." Obey them, for they watch; make this consideration a motive to your duty (aypur) they watch with the greatest care and diligence, not without trouble and danger; as Jacob kept and watched the flock of Laban in the night (υπερ των ψυχών vpwv) for your souls; for their good, denoting the final cause; that your souls may be guided, kept, and directed to their present duty, and future reward. As if it were said, the important work of these rulers is only to take care of your souls; to preserve them from evil, sin, and backsliding; to instruct and feed them; to promote your faith and obedience, that they may lead you safely to eternal rest; for this is their office appointed, and herein do they labor continually.

Where there is not the design of church rulers, where it is not their work and employment, where they do not evidence it to be so, they can claim no obedience from the church by virtue of this rule; because this watching belongs essentially to the exercise of the office, without which it is but an empty name. On the other side, that all the members of the church may be kept in due obedience to their guides, it is necessary, that they always "consider the nature of this office, and their discharge of it." When they find that the office itself is a divine institution for the good of their souls, and that it is discharged by their guides, with labor, care, and diligence, they will be disposed to obedience and submission. And herein consists the beauty and usefulness of church order; when the guides make it evident, that their whole design is la

peo

boriously and diligently to promote the eternal welfare of the souls committed to their care; and when the ple, on the other hand, obey them in their doctrine, and submit to them in their rule.

§9. "As they that must give account;" that is, of their office, and the discharge of it. They are not owners, but stewards; they are not sovereigns, but servants. There is a great Shepherd to whom they must give an account of their office, of their work, and of the flock committed to their charge. Although the last great account, which all church guides must give of their stewardships, may be intended, yet the present account which they give every day to Jesus Christ, of the work committed to them, is also included. There are no conscientious church guides, but do continually represent to the Lord Christ the state of their flock, and what is the success of their ministry among them. If they thrive, if they flourish, if they go on to perfec-. tion, this they give him an account of; blessing him for the work of his spirit and grace among them. If they are unthrifty, fallen under decays, &c. therein also they give an account to Jesus Christ; they spread it before him, mourning with grief and sorrow. The supposition of an account given with sorrow, can refer to no other account, but that which is present, with respect to the success of the ministry. And, indeed, much of the life of the ministry, and benefit of the church, depends on the continual "giving an account" to Christ by prayer and thanksgiving, of the state of the church, and success of the word therein.

Those guides who esteem themselves obliged there-, to, and who live in the practice of it, will find their minds engaged thereby, to constant diligence, and earnest laboring in the discharge of their duty.

§10. "For that is unprofitable for you." Now this joy or sorrow, wherewith they are affected in giving

their accounts, doth not here immediately respect themselves, or their own ministry, (for they are "a sweet savor unto God, both in them that are saved, and in them that perish;") but the church committed to their guidance.

1. The duty is urged, that they may give their account (μɛla xapas) with joy. What matter of the greatest joy is it to faithful pastors, when they find the souls of their charge thriving under their ministry! Thus one of the apostles themselves: I have no greater joy, than to hear that my children walk in the truth," 3 John, ver. 4. And thus another: "What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? are ye not in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? for ye are our glory and joy." 1 Thes. ii, 19, 20. And when they give this account with glory and praise, it fills their heart with joy ina particular manner. And this, on many accounts, is "profitable" for the church itself; they will quickly find the effects of the joy of their guides, in their account, by thecheerful discharge of their ministry, and in token of Christ being well pleased with them.

2. The duty is pressed for the avoidance of the contrary frame (μn 5evalovles) not with grief; not grieving or mourning. The sadness of the hearts of gospel ministers upon the unprofitableness of the people, or their shameful miscarriages, is not easy to be expressed. With what sighing, what groaning (as the word signifies) their accounts to Christ are accompanied, he alone knows, and the last day will manifest. When it is thus, although they have the present burden and trouble of it, yet it is unprofitable for the people, both here and hereafter; unprofitable in the discouragement of their guides, in the displeasure of Christ, and in all the alarming consequences which will ensue.

$11. From the whole passage thus explained, ob

serve: