Not for that we have dominion
Since he had spoke of "sparing" of them, lest it should be
thought that he and his fellow ministers assumed to themselves
any tyrannical power over the churches, or lorded it over God's
heritage, these words are subjoined: in which there is something
denied of the ministers of the Gospel, as that they
have not dominion over your faith:
by which may be meant both the grace and doctrine of faith: they
cannot give or produce in the heart the grace of faith; that is
the gift of God; of which Christ is not only the object, but the
author; it is of the operation of the Spirit, and the effect of
almighty power; it flows entirely from the free grace of God; all
that ministers can do is to propose the object of faith, and, by
arguments taken from the word of God, encourage souls to believe
in the object proposed, and so are, through a divine blessing on
their ministrations, instruments by which some believe; but they
themselves cannot command faith in any; nor can they increase or
add unto it where it is; this also is the Lord's work: nor have
they any dominion over the doctrine of faith; they are to deliver
nothing to the people but what is contained in the Scriptures,
and the people are obliged to believe no more than what they find
there; no alteration is to be made in the rule and doctrine of
faith; ministers have no power to make and impose new articles of
faith, though they may require and insist upon an assent to those
truths which they deliver, according to the word of God.
Likewise, something is asserted of them,
but are helpers of your joy.
"Joy" is a grace wrought in the soul by the Spirit of God, of
which Christ is the object; it goes along with faith, and as that
improves, so does this; it is often interrupted by the
corruptions of the heart, the temptations of Satan, and divine
desertions, and so is in this life imperfect; though it may be
increased, as it sometimes is, and that by the ministration of
the Gospel; for as the ministers of it are the means and
instruments of that joy which is first felt in conversion, so
likewise of increasing it by their comfortable doctrines and
instructions; for their ministry is, and is often blessed, for
the furtherance and joy of faith. A reason of which is given,
for by faith ye stand;
and so are not subject to men, nor to any tyrannical government
of ours; nor have we anything to charge you with concerning your
faith: which may design the grace of faith, and express its use
in the perseverance of the saints, who stand not upon their
faith, but "by it"; and by it, not as a cause but as a means of
their perseverance; by which they rely on the power and
faithfulness of God, lean upon Christ, and walk on in him, live
upon him, continually receive from him, and in his strength stand
against the temptations of Satan, and snares of the world: and it
may also denote the strength and continuance of faith; a man may
be said to stand by it, when he strongly believes his interest in
God, in his love, and the covenant of his grace, his interest in
Christ, and salvation by him; is satisfied about the truth of
grace on his soul, makes no demur upon the promises, nor
hesitates about the doctrines of grace, or his future happiness,
but rejoices in hope of the glory of God; as also, when he
continues in the exercise of faith, notwithstanding the
corruptions of his nature, the temptations of Satan, the hidings
of God's face, and the many afflictions and trials he meets with
in the world. Moreover, this passage may be applied to the
doctrine of faith, in and by which the saints may be said to
stand, in opposition to any wavering or hesitation about it, to a
cowardly spirit in giving way in the least to the adversaries of
it, or to a departing from it; which by no means should be done,
though a greater number is on the other side, and they be the
rich and learned; though the doctrines of it are disagreeable to
the carnal reason of man, are loaded with reproach, and followed
with the rage, malice, and persecutions of men: or these words
may relate to a profession of faith: care should be used in
taking up a profession of faith; where the true grace of God is,
it ought to be done; when it is made, it ought to be stood in,
and abode by; and it is the honour of saints to stand in it, and
to it, and hold it fast.