It is often tempting to take matters that are not ours into our own hands. From the vigilante who takes it upon himself to administer justice — as he sees it — when the law fails, to the wife who usurps her husband’s place when he doesn’t meet her expectations, we are all tempted at times to get the job done by any means. William Gurnall reminds us that as God’s design includes the means to the end, he also has ordained particular ministers for each task.
We shall never be charged for not doing another’s work. ‘Give an account of thy stewardship,’ Lu. xvi. 2; that is, what by thy place thou wert intrusted with. We may indeed be accessory to another’s sin and miscarriage in his place. ‘Be not partakers with them,’ saith the apostle, Eph. v. 7. There is a partnership, if not very watchful, that we have with other’s sins, and therefore we may all say ‘Amen’ to that holy man’s prayer, ‘Lord, forgive me my other sins.’ Merchants can trade in bottoms [vessels of burden] that are not their own, and we may sin with other man’s hands many ways; and one especially is, when we do not lend our brother that assistance in his work and duty, which our place and relation obligeth to. But it is not our sin that we do not supply another’s negligence, by doing that which belongs not to our place. We are to pray for magistrates that they may rule in the fear of God, but if they do not, we may not step upon the bench and do his work for him. God requires no more than faithfulness in our place. We do not find fault with an apple-tree if it be laden with apples—which is the fruit of its own kind—though we can find no figs or grapes growing on it. We expect these only from their proper root and stock. He is a fruitful tree in God’s orchard that ‘bringeth forth his fruit in his season,’ Ps. i. 3. —William Gurnall, The Christian in Complete Armour (Banner of Truth Trust, 2002), 1:282–283.
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