§. 9. Of compassion in such as have to do with others in the things of God.
Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way: for that he himself also is compassed with infirmi∣ties.
THe sixth branch of the Description of an High-priest is, That he can have com∣passion.
Of the notation of the a Greek word translated have compassion, and of the Greek word translated b can, how it signifieth a fitnesse and readinesse to do a thing, See Ch. 4. v. 15. §. 88.
From adding this property of an High-priest, to have compassion, to the former, about his dealing for men with God, may be inferred, that they who are to deal for men, especially about God, must be full of compassion. This the Apostle impli∣eth under sundry properties belonging to a servant of the Lord (who must be for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to God,) 2 Tim. 2. 24.
- 1. He must not strive. It is want of compassion that makes men strive, or be contentious.
- 2. He must be gentle unto all men. Gentlenesse and meeknesse arise from com∣passion.
- 3. He must be apt to teach. None more fit and meet to teach others then men of compassion.
- 4. He must be c patient. One ready to bear with the evils, and weaknesses of others.
Such an one was Moses, who is said to be a man very meek above all the men which were upon the face of the earth, Num. 12. 2. This language of the Apostle Paul, My lit∣tle children of whom I travel in birth again, Gal. 4. 9. sheweth him to be a man full of compassion.
All men are subject to many weaknesses and imperfections: yea in many there 〈◊〉〈◊〉 much perversnesse, especially about the wayes of God: they are as children prone to provoke them that seek their good: so blinde as they cannot discern their own good: if therefore they who have to do with them, be not, as Parents use to be to their children, full of compassion, they will soon cease to seek their good. There is no such means of overcoming evil with goodnesse, as bowels of com∣passion.
Cruell and hard-hearted men are unfit to be Ministers, who are to be for men in things pertaining to God. Ministers oft meet with cases which require much pity, and great patience. If they be ready to fret and fume, and in scorn put away such as propound their cases to them, they may send away poor souls com∣fortlesse.
Let Ministers therefore put on bowels of mercy, kindenesse, humblenesse of minde, •…•…eeknesse, long-suffering, Col. 3. 12. They are as Priests for men in things pertain∣ing to God.
That they may do this, let them consider, that they with whom they have to do, are their own flesh, Isa. 58. 7. and that no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but