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 ...

§. 78. Of Ministers impartiall respect to every one of their charge.

THis desire of the Apostle is further amplified by the extent of it, thus expres∣sed, a 1.1 Every one of you. Hereby he manifesteth an even and impartiall re∣spect which he did bear to them all. This impartiall desire is thus further ex∣plained, I would to God that all that hear me this day, were both almost & altogether such as I am, Acts 26. 29. and again thus, I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Bar•…•…∣rians: both to the wise, and to the unwise, (Rom. 1. 14.) and thus, We ex•…•…rted, 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.2 comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children. Here he sheweth that as a Fathers heart is impartiall to all his Children, so was his to all that were under his charge. For saith he, I ceased not to warn every one night and day: Hereup∣on he maketh this inference, I am pure from the blood of all men, Acts 20. 26, 31.

All Christians are as fellow members of one and the same mysticall body, 1 C•…•…. 12. 12. There is neither Iew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is 〈◊〉〈◊〉

〈◊〉〈◊〉 nor female, for ye are all one in Christ Iesus, Gal. 3. 28.

Contrary is their practice, who on by-respects dispence the Ordinances of God; •…•…ing more favour to great ones and rich ones, then to the meaner and poorer 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Gravely and severely is this unchristian practice censured by the Apostle Iames, Chap. 2. v. 1, 2, 3. &c.

Surely all that are faithfull, will be of this our Apostles minde. Moses his faithful∣ness is herein commended, that it was manifested in all the house of God, Heb. 3. 2. Thus will mens Ministry be the better accepted, and thus will they do the more good: and take away occasion of muttering and murmuring.

As Ministers must bear an equall respect to every one, so every one of what rank or degree soever ought to subject themselves to their Ministry, and use it for their own particular edification. Every one needs the benefit thereof. Every one may 〈◊〉〈◊〉 good thereby. Should not every one whose good a Minister ought to endea∣vour, improve his Ministers endeavour to his own good? The desire of the Apostle is, that every one do so and so. See Chap. 3. v. 12. §. 123.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.2

  1 Thes. 2. 11.