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 ...

§. 71. Of the disgrace of old Babes.

THe Apostle here useth this metaphor of babes in the worst part, as a matter of disgrace: because after sufficient means to have made them strong men, they remained as babes. For they who being long trained up under the Gospel, grow not thereby in knowledge, may well be accounted babes, or young novices, or fresh-men (as they say in Schools) or nibs, or pages. The Apostle cals them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 only babes, but also carnall, 1 Cor. 3. 1.

It is not time and means which bringeth true honour, and makes men highly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be accounted of: but a good use of that time and means, and progresse and pro∣ficiency answerable thereunto.

Without these, long standing and much means are but a reproach. In Sc•…•…oo's such an one is counted a dunce. As the bodies of men have their degrees of gro•…•…th, so their spirit.

It is growth in knowledge and grace, and ripenesse of understanding that ma•…•…es a Christian to be accounted strong and spirituall.

Among other motives to provoke every hearer, to improve to the best 〈◊〉〈◊〉

〈◊〉〈◊〉 that he can, the time and means which God doth afford to him, this is one, to avoid the reproach of an old babe.

These two Epithetes, old, and babe, do not well agree. Oldnesse or antiquity is a matter of glory and dignity. The younger are to reverence them. But for old persons to be children or babes, doth not only take away their honour, but also bring a reproach upon them. A young babe is no disgrace, but an old babe is.

The Philosopher observed this to be a matter of infamy: and he puts no more dif∣ference* 1.1 betwixt a child in years, then in understanding.

• 1. The babes of whom we speak may happily be deprived of such means as they* 1.2 shall never get again.
• 2. They may be made more uncapable of receiving benefit by such means.
• 3. Upon conceit that it is a shame for them to be instructed in the first principles, they may reject those means.
• 4. Their ignorance may not be suspected, and thereupon means not afforded to them.

Thus we see what a disgrace and damage it is to be an old babe, yet what Con∣gregation is there wherein there be not many such?

Some lay the blame hereof upon their Minister; and I cannot deny but that there may be a fault in some Ministers, by not attending their Flock as they should: yet that doth not wholly excuse the dull hearer, Ezek. 3. 18.

But the fault is not in every Minister: witnesse the Ministers whom God afforded to these Hebrews. Where there have been the best Ministers, most pain∣full, most faithfull, yea and prudent also in bringing forth both milk and strong •…•…eat, and that in due season there have been old babes.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Aristor. Ethic. Nicom. li. 1. c. 1.
• * 1.2

  Damages of old babes.