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 ...

§. 128. Of respecting Children that carry Gods Stamp.

ONE special reason of the aforesaid care that the Parents of Moses had of him, is thus expressed, because they saw he was a proper child.

This word, a 1.1 because, doth in general intend a reason.

The particular reason was, a visible stamp of Gods respect to this child, in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 favour and feature of it.

The Hebrew expresseth it by a general word that signifieth b 1.2 good; and com∣priseth under it every kinde of goodness. Hereof see Chap. 13. v. 9. §. 116.

It setteth out the beauty and comeliness of persons, and is translated fair, Gen. 6. 2. and 24. 16.

The Greek word here used, signifieth comely and beautifull. It is used in this very case Acts 7. 20. c 1.3 There the word God is added to it; and the title God being added, it is translated very fair: for the addition of God to things, in Canaans lan∣guage, addeth an excellency unto them, as Cedars of God, tall Cedars; Mount of God, a great mount, and so in other things. Or els this phrase, fair to God, may imply a divine Stamp, whereby it was evident that God had marked him for some great work. This might God set on him, to move both his Parents, and al∣so Pharaohs daughter, to respect him. In this respect it was not fondness in the parents, by reason of the prettiness, comeliness, and fairness of the child, that moved them to do what they did, but that divine Stamp, and their faith there∣upon.

God oft setteth a Stamp on such as are by him deputed to weighty works. Ia∣cobs* 1.4 holding his brother by the heel, was such a kind of stamp, Gen. 25. 26, and Iohn Baptists springing in his mothers belly, Luk. 1. 41. So Sampsons strength, Iudg. 14. 6. and Davids courage, 1 Sam. 17. 34.

This God doth, to raise up in men before hand, an expectation of some great matter: that thereby they may be moved to call upon God, to depend on him, and to ascribe the praise and glory of that which is done by such, to God. Moses his brethren are herein blamed, that they did not understand, that God would deliver them by Moses, when Moses avenged one of his brothers that was op∣pressed, and smote an Egyptian. Acts 7. 24, 25.

This is the reason that moved the parents of Moses, to take such care as they did of preserving him, and thereby it appears, that it ought to be the care of Pa∣rents, to take special notice of such children, as God doth set any special mark upon. The name which God gave to the second child of Bathsheba, which was Solomon (1 Chron. 23. 9.) and Iedidiah (2 Sam. 12. 25.) gave David to un∣derstand that that Son was a select Child of God: hereupon both David was the more carefull of his education (Prov. 4. 3, 4.) and Bathsheba also (Prov. 31. 1, 2.) On that ground David is carefull to give his Son sundry instructions (1 Chron. 22. 7. &c.) and to give his Princes a charge concerning him, 1 Chro. 2•…•…. 17. &c. and 28. &c. This phrase (which is oft applied to the Virgin Mary) She laid up those things in her heart, Luk 2. 19, 51. have reference to extraordinary evidences of divine glory in her Son: and made her more carefull over him.

• 1. Care upon such a ground importeth an eye of the soul, on Gods provi∣dence, and faith, in effecting some great matter. This, as it manifesteth a good and due respect to God, so it must needs be acceptable to him.
• 2. God useth to bring his Counsell to pass by means: Parents care over their children, and such especially as are marked by God to special imployments, is a principal means to bring on Children to accomplish those works.
• 3. This may be applyed to Parents that have Children of good capacity,* 1.5 quick wits, ready invention, happy memories, and other special parts, whereby they are, as it were stamped and sealed for special imployments. They ought to be the more carefull over such, both in their good education, and also in fitting them to eminent and excellent callings. Surely both Church and Common wealth, might be furnished with worthy instruments of much good, if Parents were carefull, to take notice of Gods stamp in their Children, and answerably to take care of their training up.

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 〉 A divine stamp.
• * 1.4

  God oft mar∣keth such as are for great imployments.
• * 1.5

  Parents to take notice of Gods stamp on a child.