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 ...

§. 19. Of the honour of the Ministerial function.

THere are many considerations, which prove the calling of Ministers of the Word to be honoura•…•…le: as, their Master, their Place, their Work, their End, their Reward.

• 1. Their Master is the great Lord of heaven and of earth. If it be an honour to be an especial Minister of a mortal King: what is it to be the Minister of such a Lord?
• 2. Their Place is to be in the room of God, even in his stead, Ambassadours for 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 2 Cor. 5. 20.
• 3. Their Work is to declare Gods counsel, Acts 20. 17.
• 4. Their End is to perfect the Saints, Eph. 4. 12.
• 5. Their Reward is greater then of others, Dan. 12. 3.

Thus hath the Lord honoured this function that it might be the better re∣spected, and prove more profitable. Ministers in regard of their persons are as other men, of like passions with them, and subject to manifold infirmities, which would cause dis-respect were it not for the honour of their function.

• 1. This honour should move Ministers to carry themselves worthy there∣of, answerably thereto, Ephes. 4. 1. The Apostle intendeth thus much under this Exhortation, Let no man despise thy youth, (that is, give no just occasion to any to despise thee:) but be thou an example, &c. 1 Tim. 4. 12. Ministers are styled Angels, that they should be as ready as Angels to do Gods will. They are Stewards, and must be faithfull: Elders and grave: Rulers and just. Thus shall they honour their Master, credit their place, make themselves respected, and the•…•… pains regarded.
• 2. The fore-said honour should move people to respect their Ministers: Off•…•…∣cers of Kings use to be respected. This is the rather to be done, because 〈◊〉〈◊〉 done to Ministers is done to God himself, and to his Sonne Christ, Iohn 13. 20. The Galatians received Paul as an Angel of God, even as Christ Iesus, Galat. 4. 14.
• 3. On the other side, they who despise Ministers, despise those whom God 〈◊〉〈◊〉 honoured, yea and God himself, 1 Sam. 8. 7. Mal 3. 8.
• 4. This is a great encouragement to Ministers against that ordinary 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which is cast upon them even for their Calling sake. No calling ordinarily 〈◊〉〈◊〉 contemptible▪ but we ought not to regard the censure of men in those 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which God accounteth honourable.