A commentary vpon the Epistles of Saint Paul to Philemon, and to the Hebrewes together with a compendious explication of the second and third Epistles of Saint Iohn. By VVilliam Iones of East Bergholt in Suffolke, Dr. in Divinity, and sometimes one of the fellowes of the foundation of Emmanuel Colledge in Cambridge.

VERSE 11.

OR in the Neuter Gender; of the which thing: of Christ being a Priest after the order of Melchizedec.

Much speech, a long speech that can hardly bee shut up in a narrow roome, it must have a large field to walke in. Con∣cerning the person of Melchizedec and of Christ too, what manner of man Melchizedec was, and why Christ is a Priest, not after the order of Aaron, but of Melchizedec. Many points are here to bee unfolded, therfore yee had need to be the more attentive. A Schol∣lar that hath many lines or leaves to learne, had need to bee more diligent.

2. As they are many: So they are hard and difficult; to be ex∣plained and interpreted for your capacity, that they may be compre∣hended by you.

1. A Minister must deliver many things to the people, he must not alwayes bee harping upon one string, and the people must pre∣pare themselves to receive many things.

2. A Preacher must explaine and interpret that which he spea∣keth, Nehem. 8.7.

Why bee they hard? because yee are dull of hearing: slow. It is a metaphor taken from lazie Travellours that goe slowly. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that cannot runne: tardus asellus. As men are slow in going: So are you in hearing of the Word of God. And by hearing is not meant the externall hearing alone: but the internall. Slow in con∣ceiving and learning, as is expounded in the next Verse. Hearing is put for learning (as, heare yee me? understand yee me?) because knowledge is conveyed by the sence of hearing.

There bee many and sundry things, that procure this dulnesse and slownesse.

1. Carelesnesse or want of diligence. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Matth. 13.19.

2. A minde possessed with other things, which keepe the Gos∣pel out of the doores: as these were with an high opinion of the ce∣remoniall law and Leviticall Priest-hood. A barrell full of corrupt water cannot receive wine.

3. Want of meditation. Blessed is hee that meditateth in the Law of GOD day and night. Mary pondered Christs sayings.

4. Want of reading and conferring. The Bereans are highly commended for their conference one with an other, and searching the Scriptures, Acts 17.

The want hereof is a maine cause of our extreame dulnesse in hearing.

5. Want of Prayer.

Wee are apt Schollers for the world, swift to heare newes and tales, but slow and dull in hearing of the Word of God. So that we may justly suffer that check of our SAVIOURS, Luk. 24.25. O fooles, and slow of heart to believe all that the Prophets have spoken.