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 not intermedling with things not appertaining to us, 'but attending our own businesse.

FRom the foresaid point expressed, that none of another tribe gave attendance at* 1.1 the Altar, we may well infer this general, that, no man ought to meddle with that office which belongs not to him. When Christ was desired to decide a contro∣versie betwixt brothers about their inheritance, be returned this answer, Man, who made me a Iudge, or a divider over you? Luke 12. 13, 14. None could better have done it: but because it belonged not to him, he would not do it. Every fool will be medling, Prov. 20. 3. The Apostle cals such, busie-bodies, and saith that they walk disorderly, 1 Thes. 4. 11. Another Apostle gives Christians to understand that such medling with other mens matters may cause suffering: but such suffering as a Chri∣stian can have no comfort in: and therefore adviseth that none suffer as a busie-body, 1 Pet. 4. 15. The wisdome of the prudent is to understand, HIS way, Prov. 14. 8. And, The just man walketh in HIS integrity, Pro. 20. 7. in these and other like places, this relative, HIS, implyeth that which in speciall appertaineth to him. Expresse in this case is this charge, Let every man abide in the same calling, wherein he was called, 1 Cor. 7. 20. This is the way to bring quietnesse to a man: thereup∣on saith the Apostle, study to be quiet, and to do your own businesse, 1 Thes. 4. 11. Well weigh the direction, which the Baptist giveth to those that inquired of him what they should do, and you shall find that it tends to this, to have an eye to the parti∣cular duties of their severall callings, Luk. 3. 10, &c.

See sundry grounds of the equity of this point in the Whole Armour of God on Eph. 6. 14. Treat. 2. Part. 1. §. 4.

Do not they swarve from this ruled case, who being of other callings, give atten∣dance* 1.2 at the Pulpit? and such as being Ministers give attendance at Shops, Farmes, and other like places? so they who attend upon trades, wherein they were never trained up, nor have any skil. Many Absalom-like pretend to do great matters, if

they were in such and such places (2 Sam. 15. 4.) when they are most unfit so to* 1.3 do, and do the contrary. From that which is taken for granted, that they who are of the tribe of Levi gave attendance at the Altar, it followeth, that the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which belong to our particular places, must be carefully performed: we must be diligent and faithfull therein: So were two of those servants whom the Lord i•…•…∣trusted with talents, Matth. 25. 16, 17. So were other servants of God guided by his Spirit: and among others Moses and Christ himself, Chap. 3. v. 2.

Those two encouragements which are of most force to quicken any hereunto, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 both propounded in the parable of the talents: The Lords gracious 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and bountifull remuneration, Matth. 25. 21.

It is observable, that God frequently manifested some extraordinary 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of his speciall favour to his servants, while they were imployed in their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 callings. The Lord first appeared unto Moses, to make known unto him his pur∣pose of advancing him to be a Governour over his people, while he was keeping the sleep of his Father in Law, (Exod. 3. 1. &c.) For this was his particular 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Thus Elisha was first called to be a Prophet, while he was plowing, 1 King. 19. 1•…•…. The good tidings that old Zacharias should have a son, was brought to him, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he gave attendance at the Altar, Luk. 1. 11. The first blessed tidings of our 〈◊〉〈◊〉 birth was brought to Shepheards, while they were keeping their flocks, Luk. 2. 8. &c. Many like instances might be given of Gods approbation of mens diligence 〈◊〉〈◊〉 faithfulnesse in their particular callings.

Of diligence in our undertakings, see Chap. 4. v. 11. §. 63, 64. and Chap. 6. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 11.* 1.4 §. 79.

By way of resemblance I may further infer, that as they of the tribe of Iud•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 nothing to do with the ordinances proper to the tribe of Levi: So we 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with the Altar and ordinances proper to the Jewes, we are another people, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 another Priest-hood: we have the Gospell and ordinances proper thereto, upon those we must give attendance. As they had an Altar whereof we had no right to eat: So we have an Altar, whereof they have no right to eat, Heb. 13. 10.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Meddle not with other mens matters.
• * 1.2

  Busie-bodie•…•….
• * 1.3

  C•…•…nscience about the du∣ties of ones particular place.
• * 1.4

  Christians have nothing to do with the Jewish Litu•…•…gy.