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.