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 ...

§. 149. Of a Ministers watching.

THe Apostle renders this reason of peoples performing the foresaid duty of obedience to their Ministers, and that in the manner aforesaid, They watch for your souls.

a 1.1 The Verb translated [watch] is in Greek a compound. b 1.2 The Noun whence it is derived, signifieth sleep. This compound being with a privative particle, signi∣fieth* 1.3 not to sleep, that is, to watch. It is for the most part applied to prayer, Watch* 1.4 and pray, Mark 13. 33. Luk. 21. 36. Ephes. 6. 18. These, together with my Text are the only places of the New Testament wherein this Greek word is used. c 1.5 There is a Noun thence derived, and translated watchings, twice used, 2 Cor. 6. 5. & 11. 27. There is d 1.6 another Greek word of a like notation very frequently used, and transla∣ted watch.

This act of watching is attributed to sundry functions: As

• 1. To Nurses who watch sick persons, and that day and night, and must be rea∣dy* 1.7 to give them what they need, to ease them wherein they do complain, to mi∣nister unto them what may be needfull or usefull for them. The Apostle resembles himself, as he was a Minister, unto a Nurse, 1 Thess. 2. 7.
• 2. To Shepherds: They are said to keep watch over their flock by night, Luk. 2. 8. Now they watch to keep their sheep from danger; to espy the sores and diseases of the sheep, that they may cure them; to provide good pasture for them; to bring them in season to their fold. Ministers are oft styled Shepherds, Cantic. 1. 8. Ephes. 34. 2.
• 3. To sundry Officers, and that both in time of peace and war: As to such as in the night time watch City-gates, go up and down the streets, watch in high∣wayes: which they do to discover theeves and robbers, and to prevent sundry dan∣gers. Likewise to Centinels in time of war, and to such as are placed in high watch∣towers, either to descry afarre off if any enemy approach: or in case a City be besieged, if any succour be coming to them. When Davids souldiers were sent out against Absolom, he had a watchman, 2 Sam. 18. 24. So had King Iehoram, 2 King. 9. 17. In reference to such a Watchman, God expresly saith to a Prophet, I have made thee a watchman, Ezek. 3. 17.* 1.8

These, and other like resemblances, do set out the care and duty of faithfull Ministers towards their people: and that in these, and other like par∣ticulars:

• 1. Ministers are oft awake when their people are asleep, and study and pray for their good, when they have no other witnesse, but their Candle by them, which wasteth it self to give them light; teaching them thereby to be willing to spend and be spent for the Instruction, Edification and Salvation of their people. This was the Apostles minde, 2 Cor. 12. 15.
• 2. As a tender Nurse they take great care of their peoples weaknesse. Upon their peoples complaint of their trouble and disquiet in conscience, they are ready to ease and quiet them in what they can; and to minister unto them what they know to be needfull for them, and usefull to them.
• 3. As faithfull Shepherds, they protect and defend their people from such as are as ravening wolves; even from the Devil himself, who as a roaring Lion walk∣eth about seeking whom to devour: And from the Devils ministers, Hereticks, Ido∣laters and prophane persons, who else would infect them. They are further ob∣servant of their peoples maladies to heal and cure them. They are carefull to pro∣vide good pasture for their sheep, and in seasonable times to keep them in their folds. They are also carefull to go before them, that so their people may follow them in the right way where they should go, Iohn 10. 4.
• ...

• 4. As vigilant Watchmen they descry the dangers whereunto their people are subject, and give them warning, that so they may prevent the same; and in case their people be as a City besieged, they will espy what succour is coming to help them, and encourage them to hold out, and not yield to the enemy.

The care and duty of faithfull Ministers, set out under this Metaphor, They* 1.9 watch, giveth proof of the Necessity and Utility of the Ministerial function. As necessary as Nurses are for sick persons, and Shepherds for sheep, and Watchmen to prevent danger, so necessary are Ministers for people. For people are sub∣ject to many spiritual maladies, and to sundry ravening wolves, and to all sorts of dangers, against which God hath instituted the Ministeriall fun∣ction.

The Utility of this function is manifested by the many benefits that accrew to* 1.10 people thereby. Thereby they are enlightned and directed to walk in the safe way, out of which like straying sheep, they would otherwise wander: Thereby wholsome food is provided for them: Thereby they are eased and quieted in their troubled consciences: Thereby they are protected from all manner of enemies, and preserved from manifold danger•…•….

Good reason therefore upon these grounds there is that people have their Mini∣sters in high account; that they obey them, and shew all manner of good respect un∣to them.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Som∣nus.
• * 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Iu∣somnis, Vigil.
• * 1.4

  Inde 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 per 〈◊〉〈◊〉 inter∣positis, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Vigilo.
• c 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Vigilia.
• d 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Vigilo.
• * 1.7

  Who are watchers.
• * 1.8

  How Mini∣sters watch.
• * 1.9

  The necessity of Ministers.
• * 1.10

  The benefit of Ministers.