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Note here, 1. That Christ by these words doth not forbid the exercise of civil dominion and lawful magistracy; for then all order, all defence of good men, and punishment of evil doers, would be taken away. Magistracy is God's ordinance, and the magistrate is God's minister for the good of human society, and consequently not here censured or condemned by Christ. True, when Christ was here on earth, he refused to execute the magistrate's office, because his kingdom was not of this world, and because he would give no umbrage to Caesar or the Jews; and because he would leave us an example of humility and contempt of worldly grandeur, and not because the office of civil magistracy was unlawful.
Note, 2. That Christ by this text doth not condemn the exercise of ecclesiastical government, that being as necessary in the church, as the former in the stae. The welfare of the church necessarily depends on the exercise of ecclesiastical discipline.
Note, 3. Christ here forbids only the exercise of that dominion which is attended with tyranny and oppression, and is managed according to men's wills and lusts. Now, says Christ, you shall have no such government, you shall command nothing for mere will and pleasure, but your whole office shall consist in being ministers to the good of others; and herein ye shall resemble me the Son of man, who came not to be ministered unto, but to minster.
And accordingly, that Christ might effectually quench those unhappy sparks of ambition which were kindled in his apostles' minds, he tells them, that supremacy and dominion belongs to secular princes, not to evangelical pastors, who ought to carry themselves with humility towards one anothher; not that Christ directs to a parity and equality amongst all his ministers, and forbids the pre-eminency, is that which our Saviour disallows.
Learn, 1. That so far ought the ministers of Christ to be from affecting a domination and superiority of power over their fellow brethren, that in imitation of Christ their Lord and Master, they ought to account themselves fellow-servants, I am amongst you, saith Christ, as one that serveth.
2. That such ministers as do love and affect pre-eminency and superiority are most unfit for it; and they deserve it best, who seek it least.
3. That the dignity and honour which the ministers of Christ should chiefly and only affect, is in another world; and the way to be greatest and highest there, is to be low and humble here, mean in our own eyes, and little in our own esteem. Whosoever will be chief, says Christ, let him be your servant.