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 ...

§. 12. Of one mans blessing another.

THe next act attributed to Melchisedec in reference to Abraham is thus set down, and blessed him. Melchisedec blessed Abraham.

Of the notation of the Greek word translated a 1.1 blessed. See Chap. 6. v. 6. §. 47. b 1.2 The Hebrew root signifieth sometimes to c 1.3 bow the knee, Psal. 95. 6. 2 Chro. 6. 1•…•…. Sometimes to wish well, or to pray for one, Psal. 129. 8. In this sense the Greek word used in this Text is answerable unto it; and the LXX do ordi∣narily translate that Hebrew word, with this Greek word. For when man is said to blesse man, it is ordinarily intended of one mans wishing well to another, or pray∣ing* 1.4 for him. In the generall it may here be so taken. For in the History it is writ∣ten to this effect, Melchisedec blessed Abram, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, Gen. 14. 19.

The latter clause sheweth that Melchisedec prayed unto God to blesse Abram: and in that respect is said to blesse Abram.

It is also there noted, that Melchisedec blessed God: blessed be the most high God, saith he.

Thus we see that this act of blessing is attributed to God and man. It is attributed* 1.5 to God in a double respect.

• 1. As he sanctifieth and setteth apart any thing to an holy use. Thus God is said to blesse the seventh day and sanctifie it, Gen. 2. 3.
• 2. As he conferreth some reall actuall good thing upon his creature. Thus God is said to blesse man and woman, Gen. 1. 28.

Gods blessing man is in e 1.6 Greek and f 1.7 Latin set forth by words that sig•…•… to s•…•…eak well, to shew the power of Gods word. It shall indeed be well to them, to whom God wisheth or saith well. In the Creation of Gods works, it is on every day noted, that God said, let it be so and so: and thereon it is inferred, It was 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Gen. 1. 7, 9, &c. This is further manifest by the ratification of Gods blessing th•…•…, •…•… will blesse thee, and thou shalt be a blessing, Gen. 12. 2. and Thou blessest O Lord, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it shall be blessed for ever, 1 Chro. 17. 27. On this ground is the word oft dou•…•… thus, in blessing I will blesse thee, Gen. 22. 17. Psal. 132 15.

Of Gods blessing his creatures, see more Chap. 6. v. 8, §. 47. and v. 15. §. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

The act of blessing is here attributed to man.

Blessing attributed to man, hath reference to the Creator and creatures. This* 1.8 Melchisedec blessed God (Gen. 14. 20.) as well as Abram.

God is blessed by man two wayes.

• 1. By acknowledging, and confessing Gods excellencies, 1 Chro. 29. 10, 11.
• 2. By thanking and praising God for the same, Psal. 34. 1.

This is to be observed of such as think it an harsh speech, to say that man blesseth God.

The creatures that are blessed by man, are either other men, or other kinds of creatures.

Other kinds of creatures are blessed by man two wayes,

• 1. By way of supplication; by craving Gods blessing upon them. Thus every* 1.9 creature is said to be sanctified or blessed, by the word of God and prayer, 1 Tim. 4. •…•…. Gods word giveth warrant and direction for the right use of it, and prayer obtain•…•… a blessing thereupon: Thus it hath been of old, and still is a commendable custome for Saints to blesse their meat. So did Samuel, 1 Sam. 9. 13. and Christ, Luk. 24▪ 30. For man liveth not by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord man liveth, Deut. 8. 3. It is not the creature alone, which can do us any good, but that blessing which God is pleased to give unto it.
• 2. By way of consecration, when a creature is by one sent of God, and standing in Gods roome, set apart in Gods name to some religious use. In this respect the Apostle thus saith of the sacramentall cup, the cup of blessing which we blesse, 1 Cor. 10. 16.

One man is blessed of another two wayes,* 1.10

• 1. By supplication, or gratulation.
• 2. By confirmation.

• ...

  1. By supplication; when one prayeth for another, or desireth God to blesse him. Thus any one may blesse another. An inferiour may blesse a superiour. Thus the workmen of Boaz blessed him, Ruth. 2. 4. In this respect Christ adviseth to blesse them that curse us, Matth. 5. 44. So his Apostle, Rom. 12. 14.

  By gratulation one man blesseth another, by thanking him for a kindnesse: or by praising God for him, Iob. 29. 11. and 31. 20.

• 2. By confirmation, when one in Gods name assures another that God will bless him: thus is this an act of superiours. In this sense the lesse is blessed of the greater, v. 7. These must be such superiours as stand in Gods roome, and have an especiall charge over them whom they blesse.

Of these there are three sorts. Governours of Families. Magistrates in com∣mon-wealths. Ministers of Gods word.

• 1. For Governours of Families, it is said that David returned to blesse his 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 2 Sam. 6. 20. Of these Governours, Parents have the most especiall power to bless their children. Hereof see Domest. Duties, Treat. 5. §. 9. and Treat. 6. §. 58, 5•…•…▪
• 2. For Governours in Commonwealths, the highest therein have especially this prerogative. Ioshua in his time blessed Caleb, Iosh. 14. 13. And he blessed the tribe of Reuben, Gad, and half tribe of Manasseh, Josh. 22. 6. So David blessed the people, 2 Sam. 6. 18. And Solomon, 1 King. 8. 14.
• 3. For Ministers of Gods word, to them especially belongeth this solemne

• ... 〈◊〉〈◊〉 publick kind of blessing by way of confirmation. For they in a most peculiar 〈◊〉〈◊〉 stand in Gods roome. We are ambassadours for Christ, as though God did 〈◊〉〈◊〉 you by us, &c. 2 Cor. 5. 20.

According to the different calling and function of Ministers may their blessing be distinguished. Some Ministers calling is extraordinary; as the calling of Prophets and Apostles were. Others ordinary.

The blessing of extraordinary Ministers is more extraordinary in the kind, and in∣fallible in the issue.

Their blessing extraordinary in the kind, was by way of prediction. They fore∣•…•…old the future estate of those whom they blessed. In the issue it was infallible, in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the blessing that they foretold, did so fall out in every circumstance and failed not. Thus Isaac blessed Iaacob, and Esau concerning things to come, Heb. 11. 20. and accordingly they so fell out.

The blessing of ordinary Ministers, though it be not so extraordinary distinct and infallible a prediction of things to come, yet is it much more then a private Prayer or desire: namely, a Testimony, a pledge, and assurance of that which God will do. So as it is a kind of Divine work, and a blessing rather of God then of man. The Mi∣nister uttereth what he uttereth in Gods name: or rather God uttereth it by his Mi∣nisters mouth. In testimony here of the Minister useth to stand on high, over the people, and to lift up his hand, to shew that he speaketh from him, who is above all. In this respect God having given a charge unto the Priests under the Law, to blesse his people, addeth this ratification, and I will blesse them, Num. 6. 27.

To apply, what hath in generall been said, to the blessing intended in my Text, the blessing here spoken of was of one mans blessing another: And that man a publick Minister, and an extraordinary one. It was a most solemn blessing of confirmation: a part of his Priestly function, wherein he shewed himself to be greater then Abra∣ham, v. 7.

Quest. What good thing was it that Melchisedec by this blessing ratified to A∣bram.

Answ.

• 1. Because no particular is expressed, it may in generall be extended to all those good things which God promised to Abraham, as the stock of the Church, and the Father of the faithfull.
• 2. This Apostle hinteth one main particular, where he saith of Melchisedec, in re∣ference to Abraham, He blessed him that had the promises, v. 6. Now because the prin∣cipall promise of all, under which all the rest may be comprised was the blessed seed, questionlesse that blessing was here in speciall ratified and sealed up to Abra∣ham.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• c 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 genu-flect. amus.
• * 1.4

  d 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.5

  How God blesseth.
• e 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• f 1.7

  Benedi•…•…ere.
• * 1.8

  How man blesseth God.
• * 1.9

  How man blesseth other creatures.
• * 1.10

  How one man blesseth ano∣ther.