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 ...

§. 124. Of the honour that redounds to Parents by worthy Children; and of their care over them.

Hebr. 11. 23.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his Parents: because they saw he was a proper child, and they not afraid of the Kings com∣mandement.

NOt the faith of Moses, but of his Parents, is here commended. This is the ninth instance, which the Apostle hath produced.

The word translated, a 1.1 Parents, properly signifieth Fathers, but according to the mind, and meaning of the Apostle, fitly translated Parents: under whom Father and Mother are comprised.

The Mother may not here be excluded, for the history maketh express mention of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and of her alone; for the Mother was the actor of all: but questionless all that the Mother did, was with the Fathers consent, if not upon his advise, and it is no

more then probable that he had his part also in acting many things about the pre∣servation of Moses. Of the notation of this name Moses, See Chap. 3. v. 2, §▪ 37. and The Churches conquest, on Exod. 17. 9. §. 9.

These parents are expresly named in the history; The father was b 1.2 Amrams which signifieth a numerous people, it conteineth in it a great part of Abrahams name.

The mothers name was c 1.3 Iochebed which signifieth glorious, for she was glo∣rious in bringing forth, and preserving such sons as Aaron and Moses.

They were both of the Tribe of Levi, and of the same family. The said Am∣ram and Iochebed were neer of kin. For Iochebed was Amrams fathers sister: so as Amram married his Aunt, and of her had Aaron and Moses. But this was before the Law of prohibiting degrees of marriage; and before the Common∣wealth of Israel was sufficiently peopled.

The parties whose faith is here commended, are described by their relation to their son Moses, thus, His parents, rather than by their own names, for ho∣nour sake. For Moses was a man of great note and name: and his memoriall was very honorable in the Church of God. Hereby then it appeares, that parents are* 1.4 much honoured by having worthy Children. Solomon therefore stileth himself The Son of David, Eccl. 1. 1. And David pleadeth this as a matter of honor and dignity. I am the son of thine handmaid, Psal. 116. 16. Hereupon it is said, that a wise son maketh a good Father, Prov. 10. 1.

• 1. If a son prove praise-worthy, by vertue of his education, praise useth to be ascribed to his parents, that have so educated him; even as the praise of Solomons servants was ascribed to the wisdom of Solomon, 1 Kings 10. 5.
• 2. If the gifts, parts, or dignities of a son be extraordinary, and immediat from God, they use to be evidences of Gods good respect unto the parents.

• 1. This may be a motive unto parents to do the best that they can, for their Children, that they may be of eminent use to the Church and State, where they live; and that among other ends for this, the honor and glory of parents them∣selves.
• 2. This should put on Children to do the best that they can to be famous in Israel, even for the honor of their parents.

This title, his parents, in reference to that care that Moses parents had of him* 1.5 being their child, giveth us further to understand, that parents especially ought to have a care of their Children.

For this we have sundry precepts, (as Eph. 6. 4. and 2 Cor. 12. 14.) and pat∣terns, as Prov. 4. 3, 4.

Parents are under God, the means of their Childrens being. On this ground natural instinct teacheth all creatures to be carefull of their young ones.

Parents therefore ought to observe,

• 1. What dangers their children are subject unto, to prevent them.
• 2. What good they may do unto them, and to endeavour that with all their power.

The plural number wherein this word, Parents, is expressed, doth plainly evi∣dence,* 1.6 that both Father and Mother must have a joint care of their Children: In this respect, saith a Father, in reference to himself and his wife, How shall we or∣der the Child? and how shall we do unto him? Judg. 13. 1•…•…. And a son saith of both parents, I was my fathers son, tender, and onely beloved in the sight of my mo∣ther, Prov. 4. 3. Behold thy father, and I have sought thee sorrowing, saith a mother to her son, Luk. 2. 43.

• 1. Both parents have a joint part in the being, and bringing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of their Child.
• 2. The Law requireth the like honour to both, Exod. 20. 12.
• 3. For this end are parents so neerly linked together, as to make one flesh, Gen. 2. 18.

It will be therefore a good point of wisdom for both parents, to observe what duties belong unto each of them in reference to their Children, and wherein they may be best helpfull one to another for the good of their Children.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 A mother composed un∣der parents.
• b 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Populus excel∣sus.
• c 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Glorio•…•…a. Exod. 6. 20.
• * 1.4

  Parents hono∣red by worthy Children.
• * 1.5

  Parents espe∣cially ought to be carefull of their children.
• * 1.6

  A joynt care of both pa∣rents over their children.