A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ...

§. 50. Of a faithfull servant.

Verse 5.

And Moses verily was faithfull in all his house, as a servant, for a testimo∣ny of those things which were to be spoken after.

Verse 6.

But Christ as a Sonne over his own house, whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoycing of the hope firm unto the end.

THe a 1.1 second Metaphor or comparison, whereby the excellency of Christ above Moses is set forth, is in these two verses. It is taken from the difference betwixt a sonne who is heir and Lord of an house, and a servant, who is only a minister therein.

The Argument may be thus framed:

A sonne ruling over his own house is more excellent then a servant therein.

But Christ is such a Sonne, and Moses was such a servant.

Therefore Christ is more excellent then Moses.

The Proposition is taken for grant, as a truth most evident and clear.

Both the parts of the assumption are largely exemplified.

The later part first in the 5^th ver. Then the former part in the 6^th ver.

I will follow the Apostles order, and begin with the exemplification of Moses inferiority: which is set down in three particulars.

• 1. Moses was a servant, but Christ the Sonne.
• 2. The house where Moses was, was anothers: but the house was Christs •…•…wn.
• 3. Moses was only in the house: but Christ was over the house.

That this point might be the better heeded, the Apostle sets it down with this note of asseveration b 1.2 verily.

The conjunction is that which is ordinarily used to confirm a point, and it impli∣eth that the matter here set down is a matter of moment, and in that respect the more to be regarded.

That which before he had said of Moses being faithfull in all his house, is here again repeated, because it is a matter very observable, and because it addeth much to the commendation of Moses. For that condition of Moses that he was a servant, may seem to be a matter of abasement: but this that he was a faithfull servant, much honoureth him. And the joyning of his faithfulness with his condition of being a servant, sheweth one reason of his faithfulness: even because he was a ser∣vant: and withall it sheweth a speciall duty of a servant, which is to be faithfull, Matth. 24. 41. & 25. 21.

• 1. That trust that is reposed in servants requires that they be faithfull. It is a matter of great consequence to be faithfull in the trust that is reposed in one; and it deserveth much commendation, and procures also remuneration, Matth. 25. 21, 23. But on the contrary, it is a great crime, yea and a great aggravation of ones fault, to fail trust.
• 2. Servants are to give an account of that with which they are trusted. Do ye not remember what the Lord said to his steward, who was his servant, Give an ac∣count

• ... of thy stewardship, Luk. 16. 2. Were not all the servants to whom talents we•…•… committed called to an account? It is expresly said, that the Lord reckoned 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them: He reckoned both with the faithfull and unfaithfull, M•…•… 25. 17, &c. We•…•… mark the issue that followed upon that reckoning, both in relation 〈◊〉〈◊〉 faithfull and also to the unfaithfull servants.

O consider this all ye that are Gods servants, whether Magistrates in the Com∣monwealth, or, Ministers in the Church, or appointed to any other function by God, Be faithfull as a servant.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Of the two metaphors, Sec §. 41.
• b 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.