Page 481
§. 12. Of High-priests subject to infirmities.
THe reason of the Priests compassion is thus expressed, For that he himself also 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with infirmity.
Of the Greek word translated a 1.1 infirmity, see Chap. 4. v. 15. §. 89.
The singular number infirmity, is here to be taken indefinitely. An indefinite 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is equivalent to a general, as, The wages of sinne is death (Rom. 6. 23.) 〈◊〉〈◊〉, of every sinne. The High-priest was subject to every infirmity, not any* 1.2 〈◊〉〈◊〉 excepted, whether natural or personal, whether inward in soul, as disturbed passions, and other the like: or outward in body, as sicknesse, lamenesse, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 maladies, whether oppressions and wrongs from men, or afflictions and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from God, or whatsoever else may be grievous to man, not sinne it self excepted.
The word translated b 1.3 compassed about, implieth a necessary subjection to the fore∣•…•… infirmities, so as there is no avoiding of them.
I finde the Greek word applied to a milstone hung about ones neck, Mark 9. 42. L•…•…k. 17 2. and to a chain wherewith one is bound, Act. 28. 20.
There is no avoiding these. It is also applied to a thick cloud that compasseth one 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Heb. 12. 1.
Here it implieth, that the High-priest was at all times, and in all places as it were* 1.4 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with infirmities, as he could not be clean freed from them: yea, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 every where arose occasions of more and more infirmities.
These words [He himself also] carry emphasis. They are to be taken in oppo∣sition to other men, on whom he was to have compassion by reason of their in∣•…•…: as if it had been said, Not only other men to whom compassion was to be shewed, were subject to infirmities, but even he also, who was to shew com∣•…•….
The infirmity here intended being especially meant of sinne, sheweth plainly, that the High-priest himself was subject as to other humane infirmities, so also to 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Aaron one of the best High-priests that were, gave many evidences here∣of: as his murmuring against Moses, Levit. 12. 1. His rebelling against Gods word 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the water of Meribath, Numb. 20. 21. His making the molten Calf, Exod. 32. 4. So Eli, who restrained not his sons vilenesse, 1 Sam. 3. 13. and Abiathar who con∣•…•… with Ad•…•…nijah, 1 Kin. 1. 7.
High-priests were sons of Adam, their office did not alter their nature, they still continued weak, and frail men, subject to the same temptations and passions that others. are.
This the Lord suffered that they might the better know in what need they them∣•…•… stood of a Sacrifice, of others prayers, of Gods mercy, and of a Saviour: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this the rather, that they should not be too much pussed up with their functi∣•…•…▪ This was further an occasion of making them carefull in using means for re∣d•…•…essing of sin, and establishing them in grace; and to make them also more rea∣dy to bear with others infirmity, tenderly to deal with them, to comfort them, and to hope the best of them.
That which is here said of High-priests may be applied to Ministers of the Word, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to extraordinary Ministers.
Moses manifested his infirmity, Num. 20. 12 So did Peter, Gal. 2. 11.
People therefore had need to pray for their Ministers.
But especially they must learn to distinguish betwixt a Ministers Office and Person, and not despise the ministerial function by reason of the Ministers infirmi∣•…•….