_Therefore brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye
have been taught, whether by word, or our Epistle._
The word _traditions,_ here, means those orders, truths, doctrines,
or ordinances which the Apostles, under the guidance and special
direction of the holy Ghost, delivered to the Churches planted and
formed by them. _Tradition_ is what is transmitted from one to
another, to guide and direct Christians, either in their belief or
conduct. Two ways did the Apostles of our Lord employ in making known
the mind and will of God to the Churches which were formed by them,
in various parts of the world. And they gathered Churches and settled
Ministers in almost all quarters of the then known world. These two
ways were by _word_ and _Epistles,_ by public discourses or by
private conferences, and by written Epistles. And the text is an
exhortation to the Thessalonian Christians, and in them, to all
Christians in all ages and Countries, where the Gospel in the course
of divine providence should be preached, to be firm and unshaken in
their adherence to the truth, duties, doctrines, and ordinances of
the Apostles, whatever dangers might threaten, difficulties arise, or
temptations assault.
_Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye
have been taught whether by our word, or our Epistle._ Their _word_
and _Epistle_ taught one and the same Religion, without the least
difference or a single contradiction.
What is proposed, in the progress of this discourse, is to prove that
the Apostles are INFALLIBLE guides in religion, being commissioned,
and immediately qualified and inspired by the Redeemer.
In order that my meaning in this proposition may be fully
comprehended, it will be necessary to state, a little more at large,
the idea intended to be illustrated and established in the present
discourse. It is this: We as christians, are invariably to adhere to,
and abide by Apostolic traditions, using the word, in the sense of
the text; or by their precepts and examples. Jesus Christ, the author
of the Gospel-dispensation, and head over all things to the Church,
invested them with full power and authority to order, to arrange, and
to direct INFALLIBLY, in all the concerns of the Churches: in the
doctrines which we are to receive, as the articles of our Creed: in
the duties to be performed by us, in all our various relations: and
in the ordinances to be attended upon by us. They omitted no truth
which they were to deliver. They preached no doctrine, which their
divine Master, had not given them in charge to preach. They observed,
as a _standing_ ordinance, no institution, which he did not
_expressly_ appoint, or order them to observe. They were, moreover,
secured from error both in doctrine and discipline. They never were
mistaken or deceived respecting any points of the Religion, which our
Lord came from heaven to erect. His kingdom is not of this world. It
is like no worldly kingdom. It is injured, and its original purity
and glory are defaced, whenever it is incorporated with any civil
forms of government. In this kingdom, the Apostles acted altogether
under their king. They taught nothing contrary to his mind. They
practised, in things divine, or as inspired builders, nothing, which
the great Master-builder did not approbate. We are to _build_ upon
the foundations of the prophets and Apostles, Jesus Christ himself
being the chief corner-stone. We are safe, then, and only safe, when
we take the Apostles for our INFALLIBLE guides in the FAITH, ORDER,
WORSHIP, and INSTITUTIONS of our Churches. We are to _build_ upon
their foundation. They spake as they were _moved_ by the holy Ghost.
They were endowed with his _miraculous_ gifts. They had such evidence
of it, as was to them _intuitive._ And they could prove it to others,
by the works, which they wrought.--As believers in a divine
Revelation, we cannot be consistent with ourselves, if we admit that
the Apostles or _inspired_ penmen of the New-Testament, were
MISTAKEN, or acted WITHOUT authority from their Lord, in any thing
delivered by them; or observed _statedly_ by them. To admit that they
might not either know the mind of Christ; or knowing it, were ever
neglectful of it, is at once to give up all divine Revelation. If we
may say that, in ONE point, they acted as _weak_ and _mistaken_ men.
Others may say they did in _other_ points with equal propriety. How
then is it possible to know what to hold, or what to give up? The
whole must either be retained, or rejected. There is no selecting. If
the Apostles, in their example and precepts, had not full power and
ample authority, then we are under no obligations to keep, for
instance, the _first_ day of the week as the Sabbath, or holy time,
because _they did,_ or to receive any of their doctrines or
_ordinances,_ or to follow any of their _directions._ Of course, we
must reject all the scriptures, except our Lord's own _particular_
discourses.--Let us, then, enquire after the authority of the
Apostles. In the words now before us, St. Paul commands us to adhere,
_strictly_ and _exactly_ to what he delivered to the Churches.
_Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold to the traditions as ye
have been taught._ There is a peculiar force in the words _stand
fast._ The meaning it to be firm: be fixed: never give up, deny, or
depart from; but invariably keep to all that you have been taught by
us, the Apostles of our common Lord.--To the Corinthian Christians,
he has a similar direction. _Now I praise you, brethren, that ye
remember me in all things and keep the ORDINANCES as I delivered them
unto you._ The arguments to prove that the Apostles are our
_infallible_ guides in Religion, being commissioned and inspired by
the Redeemer, may be comprised in these six. They were his chosen
witnesses to the world.--They received their commission from
him.--The divine spirit was their perfect director.--Miraculous works
were done by them.--They required intire submission to their
teachings.--And they took care to commit the Gospel to writing--and
the Gospel-ministry to faithful men, commanding them to deliver sound
doctrine, and to shun all doctrines which they had not delivered.
1stly. They were his _chosen_ witnesses to the world. It seems to
have been not only expedient, but necessary, that our Lord should
have some chosen or special witnesses of his life, doctrines, works,
and sufferings. These were indeed open to the view of all. The whole
Jewish nation could not but know them. His mighty works were not done
in a corner, or before a few partial and interested friends. They
were done on the most public occasions, before all classes of people,
enemies as well as friends. He did not retire to some private
apartment to work his miracles, taking with him two or three
particular adherents and then order _these_ to publish them abroad.
But notwithstanding the open and public nature of his mighty works,
it was necessary that he should chuse a certain number of persons to
accompany him constantly, through the whole course of his Ministry,
to be to the ends of the earth, his faithful witnesses. They were to
transmit to the latest ages a genuine account of his holy life, his
heavenly doctrines, and the nature and end of the
Gospel-dispensation. _These witnesses_ he called _Apostles._ And he
took them from the ordinary ranks of life, in order to cut off all
occasion of objecting against his religion as the work and
contrivance of man. They were illiterate. They were, also, destitute
of riches. Had he selected his _Apostles_ from, among the great, the
rich, and the learned, their success, in preaching his Gospel, would
have been imputed to human and natural causes. Once only did he,
during his Ministry, send these chosen disciples to preach to the
Jews. He kept them with him, to instruct them fully into all the
concerns of his kingdom, that they might be under the best possible
advantages to testify of him, and his doctrines, and life. But he did
not leave the people destitute of the means of knowledge. He pitied
them. He accordingly provided for their instruction in the truth, by
appointing _seventy disciples_ to preach the glad tidings of life
eternal, through the whole province of Judea. He chose _twelve_
Apostles, doubtless in allusion to the number of tribes, into which
the people of Israel were divided. And the conjecture that the
_seventy_ were appointed, in allusion to the number of the _great
council_ of the nation, the _sanhedrin,_ is founded in probability.
The apostles, then, were appointed to _bear witness for_ Christ to
all the world. They were to testify, every where, to all he _did,_
and to all he _suffered_ as Saviour: his holy life, his divine
doctrines, his wonderful miracles, his bitter passion, his cruel
death, his glorious resurrection, his triumphant ascension. They were
always about his person. And they were with him, during _that
interesting,_ that _marvelous,_ that _instructive_ period, of _forty_
days from his resurrection to his ascension. During this term, our
Lord gave them all the light and information, about their duty, and
his kingdom, which they needed. Happy Apostles to converse, for forty
days together, with a risen Saviour! He said every thing to them,
that was needful, to convince them, to confirm them--to enlighten
them--to console them--and to arm them to meet dangers and
difficulties in their arduous work. He taught them in all that was
requisite they should be taught. _To whom he showed himself alive
after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty
days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God._
They were eyewitnesses of his ascension. They saw him taken up from
the earth. A cloud, miraculously prepared, received him. _For while
they beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their
sight._ They were _appointed_ to be witnesses of the truth of these
things. Christ tells them, particularly, that they were to bear
witness of these things to all the world. _And ye also shall bear
witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning._ They only,
of all men, were qualified to be witnesses of these things; for they
had seen them, and heard them: they had constantly accompanied him,
during his Ministry. They knew all those things, as well as it is
possible for man to know any thing, which he sees with his eyes, or
hears with his ears. Even at the very time of Christ's ascension he
tells them, _ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem, and in
all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth._
2ndly. They received their commission from him IMMEDIATELY. If we
attend to the commission which our Lord gave them, we shall see how
clear the evidence is, that they are INFALLIBLE guides in things of
Religion, in DOCTRINES, DUTIES, TRUTHS, AND ORDINANCES. They were
sent by Christ to proclaim pardon and salvation, and to set up his
church among all nations. He told them what to expect, in the
discharge of their duty--that the disciple was not above his Master,
nor the servant above his Lord:--that he _that receiveth you,
receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me:_
on the other hand, _he that despiseth you, despiseth me, and he that
despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me._ They bore his name, acted
under his authority, and delivered his messages. They preached his
doctrines, and not their own opinions. They celebrated his
ordinances, not their own institutions. They never went beyond his
will, or neglected it. When they speak; I hear the voice of the Lord.
When they acted in matters of church-order and discipline; I feel,
that it is precisely the same as if the Mediator himself _bid us_ to
do the like. During his personal Ministry, he once sent them through
the whole land of Judea, to proclaim from city to city the glad
tidings of pardon and salvation. They had a _larger_ commission after
his resurrection. They had power to carry the gospel of his kingdom
among _all_ nations, and to collect Churches. Their commission is as
full as it can be. _Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy
Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you, and, lo! I am with you always even unto the end of the
world._ In these words we have the _express_ institution of the
ordinance of Christian Baptism. Public worship and the
Gospel-Ministry, we are here told, are to be continued unto the _end_
of the world. They, the Apostles, were to go among _all_ nations
without any distinction of Jew or Gentile, bond or free, barbarian or
scythian. _Wherefore there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision,
nor uncircumcision, barbarian, or scythian, bond or free; but Christ
is all and in all._ They were to bring them all, if possible, to
embrace the Gospel. They were to _gather_ Churches: to _ordain_
Ministers: to _appoint_ all the orders of the Churches--to teach them
what to believe--to _elect deacons_--and lay down the plan of worship
and discipline. The whole forty days their Lord _was with_ them, from
his resurrection to his ascension, he was _teaching_ and directing
them. He spake of _things pertaining to his kingdom._ All power in
heaven and on earth was his: and he gave them all the authority which
could be needful. He failed not to furnish them _completely_ for
their work. And what he imparted to them, that they communicated, and
no more. They made no additions of their own. How remarkable are
these words, in their commission, _teaching them to observe ALL
things, whatsoever I have COMMANDED you!_ They taught nothing of
their own. They were the mere instruments or organs by whom Christ
spake.
3dly. The divine spirit was their PERFECT director in ALL things,
both as to doctrine and discipline. They delivered the _whole_
counsel of God, and nothing but the counsel of God. They kept back
nothing; they omitted nothing through fear of man; nor advanced any
opinions of their own to gain the favour or affection of any man; or
body of men. _Wherefore,_ says the Apostle Paul, _I take you to
record this day that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have
not shunned to declare unto you ALL the counsel of God._ They never
taught any _false_ doctrine, or went into any _wrong_ practices, or
set up any _institutions_ without a divine warrant. Their precepts
and their example, consequently, are binding upon all Christians.
Neither may be disregarded. Both are to be followed, for they were
divinely inspired. No other men, since the holy oracles were
completed, ever were divinely inspired; or ever will be. Those whom
God inspires, are _safe guides_; are _perfect_ guides in things
pertaining to his kingdom. They are _infallible_ guides, because our
Lord, in the most express manner, promised them such guidance, aid,
and constant direction of his spirit, as should be _fully_
sufficient:--Such as should effectually secure them from all error in
doctrine, faith, and worship. He often promised this infallible
direction or aid. And he did not fail to make good his gracious
promise. They were never without the special and infallible teachings
of the spirit of truth. John xiv. 16, 17. _I will pray the father,
and he shall give you another comforter, that he may abide with you
forever: even the spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive._
verse 26. _But the comforter which is the holy Ghost whom the Father
will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all
things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you._--Here
is a full proof that the Apostles had such assistances and teachings
from the spirit, as rendered them infallible guides to the Churches;
to all mankind. _He shall teach you ALL things, and bring to your
remembrance WHATSOEVER I have said unto you._ They could not,
accordingly, mistake in any point; or omit: or forget any thing.
Again--John xvi. 13, 14. _Howbeit when the spirit of truth is come,
he will guide you into all truth: and he will show you things to
come. He shall glorify me; he shall receive of mine, and shall show
it unto you. He shall not speak of himself: but WHATSOEVER he shall
hear, that shall HE SPEAK._ The spirit was to guide them into all
truth--to enable them to foresee future events. How full are these
promises! If we can believe any thing; we must admit that the
Apostles, enjoying those extraordinary and miraculous assistances,
are infallible guides in Religion. Those promises now cited, and all
others of a like tenor, are peculiar to the Apostles, and in their
full latitude apply to no others. No christian or Minister has any
right to them, or can apply them to himself, without high
impropriety. They prove, as clearly as words can, that the Apostles
were secured from all error of doctrine or discipline, and rendered
as infallible in their teaching, directing, and guiding mankind, as
completely as if _Christ himself_ had been personally present with
them, to tell them always what to do, and what to teach. Nay,
farther, they were commanded not to take one step in their arduous
work of spreading the glories of the Gospel-kingdom until these very
promises were fulfilled in them; until baptised of the holy Ghost, or
endowed with his miraculous inspiring influence. _And behold I send
the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of
Jerusalem until ye be endowed with power from on high._
4thly. Miraculous works were done by them. All inspired men are
enabled to give public and occular demonstration that they are
inspired. Those who claim to be inspired, but have no power to work
miracles, are impostors; and ought always to be looked upon by their
fellow-men as deceivers. Miracles are the testimony of God himself
set to the doctrines and instructions of inspired teachers, as a
seal. The alwise, and infinitely gracious God, who always acts with
perfect rectitude, never inspires any to be his messengers to reveal
his will, without enabling them to exhibit proper testimonials that
he has sent them. For it is at our peril to listen, a moment, to such
as claim any immediate communications from him, without evidence.
Whom he calls or sends _immediately,_ he always empowers to show the
needful tokens, lest we should be deceived or imposed upon by fraud
or artifices. As inspired men, the Apostles, had power to work
miracles. They had power imparted to them, to restore to the maimed,
new-created limbs--to heal the sick by a word or command--to eject
demons by merely ordering them to depart from those possessed with
them--to strike dead with a single word--to give life from the
dead--to confer the gift of the holy Ghost upon others by laying on
the hands--to foretel future events. Such extraordinary powers were a
full proof that God had sent them. By these signs, he authorized them
as his messengers. All mankind are, consequently, bound to receive
them as such, to submit to their directions, and to follow their
example in discipline. We may particularly notice the gift of tongues
conferred upon the Apostles. Without this, they could not possibly
have been furnished to execute the commission which they had
received, _to go and teach all nations._ But they could not teach the
Gospel to various nations without understanding their languages. And
they could not, by study and human means, supposing them to be
favoured with the best, have been such adepts in the various
languages, as to preach in them, the glorious truths of the Gospel.
But without any study, they could at once, speak to all nations in
their own tongues, the great things of religion. What more striking
proof could be exhibited, that God was in truth with them, and had
divinely inspired them? We are obliged, therefore, to stand fast, and
hold to their traditions, their doctrines and examples. Thus says the
Apostle to the Hebrews, _How shall we escape, if we neglect so great
salvation; which at first began to be spoken by the Lord himself, and
was afterwards confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also
bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers
miracles, and gifts of the holy Ghost, according to his will._ God
bears witness to his servants whom he immediately employs to deliver
his messages to the Children of men by miracles. _And they went forth
and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming
the word with signs following._ We are to receive no pretender to
_immediate inspiration,_ unless God bear him witness with _signs_ and
_wonders._ We are never required, as reasonable creatures, to admit
any one, as _called_ and _commissioned immediately_ of God, unless he
be able to prove it to us, by _miraculous powers._
5thly. The Apostles demand entire submission to their teachings. They
knew that they were divinely inspired and commissioned by the
Redeemer; because they had such miraculous powers _constantly._
They could not be self-deceived. They did not mistake a warm and
heated imagination, or a spirit of delusion, for inspiration, as many
poor deceived persons have done, in various ages of the world; for
they had the power of working miracles, to satisfy themselves and all
others. We find them, of course, acting agreeably to this. They set
up their example as a rule, as well as their doctrines. Their example
or practice, in things of discipline and of Church-order is binding
on all Christians, and as obligatory as their precepts. They
absolutely commanded all men, wherever they went, to receive their
doctrine as the word of God. They had no hesitancy about this. Thus
St. Paul. _If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual,
let him acknowledge that the things which I write, are the
commandments of the Lord._ It would be blasphemy in any, but the
Apostles to do this. So the Apostle John. _We are of God; he that
knoweth God, heareth us: he that is not of God, heareth not us.
Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error._ They
had a full knowledge of what was false doctrine, and what was true.
So far did they carry this, that if any obstinately refused to follow
them, and to receive their doctrines, they withdrew all connexion of
a religious nature from them--held no communion with them, but cut
them off from the society of the faithful. _If any man obey not our
word by this Epistle, note that man, and have no company with him
that he may be ashamed._--Such as dissent, and go off from the plain
doctrines of the Apostles are to have a mark set upon them--all
intimacy with them is prohibited: _note that man, and have no company
with him that he may be ashamed._ The practice of the Apostles is set
up also as binding on all christians, in respect to Church-order and
discipline. _Be followers together,_ says one of them, of me, _and
mark them that walk so as ye have us for an example._ Thus in the
text. _Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which
ye have been taught whether by word or our Epistle._ As much as if
the Apostle had said, stand fast in the faith, comfort and hope,
doctrine, holiness, and profession of the Gospel--and steadfastly
maintain the important points of truth and duty, in which ye have
been instructed by us, whether by word of mouth, while we were with
you, or by this and our former Epistle, which contain an important
part of the faith that is delivered to the saints, as the ONLY
standard of DOCTRINES, WORSHIP, and OBEDIENCE.
The Churches, also, let it be farther and carefully remarked, which
were formed by the Apostles under their inspection were patterns for
all succeeding ages.--_But if any man seem to be contentious, we have
no such custom, neither the Churches of God._ Nay, Christians are
commended for strictly adhering to the ORDINANCES of the New
Testament-dispensation. _Now I praise you, brethren,_ that _ye
remember me in all things, and keep the ORDINANCES, as I delivered
them unto you:_ the two great Gospel-ordinances delivered unto the
Churches, are baptism and the Lord's Supper.--If any refused to admit
Apostolic precept, and Apostolic example, others were commanded to
withdraw from them: to treat them as grossly erroneous:--as unfit for
communion: as in fact denying the religion of the Gospel. _Now we
command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye
withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and
not after the TRADITION which ye received of us._ The word
_tradition_ here is used in a good sense, and means the doctrines,
ordinances, and truths delivered by the inspired Apostles. It is a
word, indeed, which has been greatly abused. Superstitious people
hold to oral _tradition_ as equally valid with the _written_ word of
God. And self-confident and impious people call all religion,
_tradition._
6thly. The Apostles took all due care to commit the Gospel-ministry
to _faithful men,_ commanding them to deliver _sound_ doctrine, and
to shun _all_ doctrines which they had not delivered and penned down,
as directed by the holy Ghost. _And the things that thou has heard of
me, among many witnesses, the same commit thou to FAITHFUL men, who
shall be ABLE to teach others._ To faithful men. MEN ONLY are to be
public teachers. Faithful men, are men of integrity, sound judgment,
and seriousness, in the judgment of Charity.--Again they must be
_able_ to teach. To be _able_ to teach is to be men of great
knowledge--men of learning--men of extensive reading and
thought:--Unlearned men are not _able_ to teach. They only pervert
scripture, and expose religion to contempt. An ignorant teacher is an
absurdity; yet surprising as it is, people have itching ears to heap
up such to themselves.--Ministers of the Gospel are commanded to feed
their people with _sound_ doctrine, to give to every one a _portion_
of meat in due season. _But speak thou the things which become sound
doctrine. Sound doctrine,_ is uncorrupted, true doctrine. We may know
what _sound doctrine_ is, by seeing what the Apostles preached, and
most of all dwelt upon. All divine truth is _sound doctrine._ Now if
we did not know, or could not find out what _sound doctrine_ is, we
should never be commanded to preach--or to adhere to--or to contend
for it. The Apostles have delivered the _true_ doctrines of
Religion--have laid down the _true_ plan of worship. And they were
plain Preachers. We do know, we can easily know, what they delivered,
as the great and essential doctrines of Christ. They command us all,
Ministers, and private Christians, to shun all doctrines _different_
from theirs. _Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines.
Strange doctrines,_ are such as are not found in scripture, or such
as the Apostles delivered not. This command supposes, we can know
what _divers_ and _strange doctrines_ are. For if we could not, it
would be fruitless to tell us to avoid them. The Apostles, then,
considered themselves as delivering to the world, the only _true_
system of Gospel doctrines. They did so. They are consequently, to be
wholly relied upon, in all things, pertaining to the kingdom of God.
Where we can find Apostolic practice or example, in duties and
ordinances, STATEDLY observed, we are perfectly safe, and only safe
in conforming ourselves thereunto.--I have now offered a variety of
arguments to prove to all, that the Apostles are INFALLIBLE guides in
Religion, being commissioned and inspired by the Redeemer
immediately.--I trust the arguments are satisfactory. The subject is
not often discussed. It is however a most important one.--And I close
the discourse, with this single remark. If the Apostles were not
secured by the extraordinary assistances of the divine spirit from
all error, in doctrine, discipline, and ordinances, and be not
infallible guides--if we may not build, with all possible safety,
upon their foundation, we must give up all the scripture _as a
cunningly devised fable,_ and commence unbelievers in any divine
Revelation at all.