§. 51. Of Ministers being mean men that die.
ALbeit there were a common priviledge betwixt the Levites and Melchisedec, yet there was a great disparity in th•…•…ir persons: for of the Levites it is here said, they were men that d•…•…e: but of Melchisedec, he liveth. So as there was as great a dif∣ference betwixt them, as betwixt mortality, and immortality.
There are two points observable in this phrase, men that die. The first is about this word, a 1.1 men. Th•…•… Greek word signifieth ordinary, mean men. It is the same that is used, Chap. 2. v. 6. §. 54.
The other is in this word, b 1.2 die, meaning such as are subject unto death: and in their time shall die: and thereupon leave this world, and all their imployments therein: yea so leave them as not to do any thing about them any more: for there is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdome in the gra•…•…e, Eccles. 9. 10.
The Greek verb translated, die, is a compound. c 1.3 The simple verb signifieth, to die, Matth. 2. 20. Thence an d 1.4 adjective that signifieth mort•…•…ll, 1 Cor. 15. 53, 54. The compound being with e 1.5 a preposition that signifieth, from, hath an em∣phasis, and implieth a departing from all that a man hath.
This mortality of the sons of Levi, who were Priests is in speciall here set down, to amplifie the excellency of Melchisedec who liveth▪ but withall it may be brought in as an evidence of the mutability of the legall Priest-hood: and that by a kind of re∣semblance betwixt the persons and their office: that as the persons, who are Priests, had their time, and after that were taken away: so their office, which was the Priest-hood, had an appointed time, after which it should be abrogated. This point of the mutability of the Priest-hood is expresly proved by the Apostle, v. 11, 12.
Of Priests being subject to death. See v. 23. §. 97.
That which is here said of the Levites, is true of all Ministers of the word, that* 1.6 they are but men, mean men, mortall men, that die. Hereupon this title son of man is given to a choyce Prophet, Ezek. 3. 17. And choyce Apostles say thus of them∣selves, We also are men of like passions with you, Act. 1•…•…. 1•…•…. They said this, when people so admired them, as they supposed them to be gods, and would have sa∣crificed unto them.
God doth herein magnifie his power by enabling men, that are subject to death,* 1.7 to perform so great things, as the ministeriall function requireth to be performed.
- 1. This common condition of Ministers to be men that die, should make them oft to look upon these black feet of theirs, that they doe not too proudly strut out their Gay-peacock-Feathers: that they be not too conceited, either in any prerogatives 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to their function, or in any abilities bestowed upon them, for the execu∣tion thereof.
- 2. This is a forcible motive to raise up their eyes and hearts to God for his di∣vine assistance, in their humane weaknesse.
- 3. Herein ought people also to be helpfull to their Ministers in calling on God for them. This is it which an Apostle earnestly desired his people to do for him, Rom. 15. 30. Eph. 6. 19.
- 4. This also should move people to tender their Ministers, as such as are men, and s•…•…bject to humane frailties, and thereupon to bear with them.
- 5. Because Ministers are mortall men that must die, Ministers themselves must be diligent in improving that time, which God doth afford unto them, to the best ad∣va•…•…tage that they can: and people must take the opportunity of their Ministers life, to •…•…eap the best good that they can, while their Ministers remain with them; even before they are taken away.