John 4:37–38

A third reason, (illustrate by a similitude) is taken from the easy task wherein the Apostles were now employed, in comparison of Moses and the Prophets before them; They had much paines, as in plowing and sowing with little seen fruit, but by this they had made the work more ripe for the Apostles, having by their preaching and writing to the Church, laid a ground for the Apostles speedy successe; for, clearing this purpose, we are to consider, 1. This comparison doth not chiefly hold in respect of the Gentiles, where the Apostles are said to plant, 1 Cor. 3.6. and to lay a foundation, Rom. 15.20. See also 2 Cor. 10.15, 16. (though in this also they had the advantage of the Prophets doctrine, delivered to the Jewes, to confirme what they said by it;) But the comparison holds in respect of the Church of Israel, where the Prophets had laboured, and to which the Apostles first Commission was, Matth. 10.6. Consider, 2. This Comparison is not to be taken as if the Apostles took no pains at all; but it is to be understood comparatively, that the Prophets great pains made them come better speed with lesse pains. Nor is it to be understood, as if the Prophets reaped or converted none, but that their fruit was small, considering their pains, in comparison of the Apostles, who under the dispensation of the Gospel, reaped the fruit of their paines. Doct. 1. A spiritual minde will make good use of common proverbs, even in spiritual purposes, as Christ doth here. 2. The Lord seeth it sit in his deep wisdom, not to let all his servants have alike difficulties in their calling, nor alike successe; but may let some be at great paines in preparing for Christ, and sowing the precious seed, who yet will be out of the world, before any remarkable fruit of it appear; and may let others see very rich fruits of their labours in their own time; for, so were the Prophets Sowers, and the Apostles Reapers; the one laboured with little visible successe, the other brought in many, sometimes even with one Sermon. 3. Such as labour faithfully in the Lords work, albeit they have not much visible successe, yet they are neither disapproved nor uselesse, but are doing useful service in their generation, and working to the hand of others, under whom the fruit of their labours will appear; for, so the Prophets were Sowers, and the Apostles entred into their labours, and reaped the fruit of their sowing. 4. The more easie the Lord makes a Ministers work, by sending him not to Pagans, but to a visible Church, prepared aforehand by the faithful labours of others, the more delight should he have in going about it; so much doth the force of the reason import; I sent you to reap that whereon you bestowed no labour, &c. therefore, ye should be affected with your work. 5. This also layeth an obligation on these who have long enjoyed Ordinances, to give proof of their profiting under former Ministers, by being fitted to receive the Word more fruitfully from these who follow after; so much also doth this similitude teach, that the Church of Israel was like a ripe field to the Apostles, as having been prepared thereto, as a manured and sowen field: And such is the duty of others.