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 ...

§. 73. Of Ministers ability to preach the deep Mysteries of the Word.

IN that strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, by just and necessary consequence it followeth, That Ministers must be able to feed with strong mea•…•…. They must be able to preach the deeper mysteries of the Gospel, as well as the ea∣sier principles. For that which belongeth to any must be given to him. The Lord sets it down as the part of a faithfull Steward, to give the houshold their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of meat (Luke 12. 42.) That which in kinde and quantity belongeth unto th•…•…. They who are not able themselves to understand deep mysteries, cannot reveal th•…•… to others. Nothing gives that which it hath not.

That a Minister must be able to declare deep mysteries, is evident by this qualifi∣cation, which the Apostle requires of him, b apt to teach, 1 Tim. 3. 2. and by this duty of rightly c dividing the Word. The Apostle takes his metaphor from the Priests, who divided the Sacrifice, and laid every part in order according to the prescript of the Law.

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  1. The conceit which many have concerning the sufficiency of a Minister, by this appears to be a plain deceit: namely, that it is enough to have knowledge of the principles of Religion: if at least he have a free and ready speech, and a for∣ward and zealous spirit: So as he can thunder out Gods judgements against sinners, and pithily exhort to piety and vertue. I deny not but that these are needfull and commendable: but this very Text sheweth, that they are not sufficient.

  If it be said, That they may be sufficient for Countrey Congrega∣tions.

  I answer, That it is hard that there should be a Congregation of Christians, where no strong ones are. If no spirituall growth were required of Christians, but that they might alwayes be babes, such might be sufficient Ministers. B•…•… all ought to grow, till they come to be strong and perfect. Will any acco•…•… him a sufficient School-master to train up Scholars for the University, •…•…ho himself can onely reade? Are not Ministers master-builders, and shall it be sufficient for them onely to work some plain work, or to square out timber? Pharaoh would have men of activity to be rulers over his cattell (Gen. 47. 6.) and shall not choice men be feeders of the Lords flock? It is recorded as an ag∣gravation of Ieroboams sinne, That Priests were made of the lowest of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 1 Kin, 13. 33.

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  This then may be an aggravation of the sinne of our times, that prentices, ser∣•…•… men, trades-men, and others like them, who have no learning, nor are able 〈◊〉〈◊〉 strong meat to them that are of full age, do notwithstanding usurp the mi∣•…•… function.

• 2. Parents and others that intend to have children, or others under them to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Word, ought to take care about training them up in Schools and •…•…sities where they may learn the deepest mysteries.
• 3. Such Scholars as intend the Ministry must endeavour to prepare them∣•…•… thereto by Arts, Tongues, diligent study, much reading, and other helps, thereby they may be enabled to give strong meat to such as are of full age, 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ 2. 15.
• •…•…. They that have the power of Ordination must be carefull that they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 none but such, 1 Timothy 5. 22.

Notes

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• Nihil 〈◊〉〈◊〉 quod non habet.
• b

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• c

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• Ministers un∣learned not sufficient.