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 ...

§. 15. Of Entertaining Strangers.

HOw strangers are to be entertained hath been shewed §. 13. The duty it self is much pressed both under the Law and under the Gospel. In both times •…•…egatively, Exod. 22. 21. and here in this Text, affirmatively, Deut. 10. 19. Rom. 12. 13. The word whereby the Apostle in that place presseth that duty hath great emphasis, we thus translate it, Given to hospitality. The Greek word is taken from hunters, and hounds, who will not lose the game, if possibly they can get it. It is used, Phil. 3. 12. 14. and translated to follow after, and to presse toward. That very word is used to stirre us up to pursue after peace and holinesse, (Heb. 12. 14.) Righteousnesse and faith, (1 Tim. 6. 11.) Love, (1 Cor. 14. 1.) and whatsoever is good, (1 Thess. 5. 15.) So as we must be given to hospitality, as much as to peace, holinesse, righteousnesse, faith, love, and what else is good.

God hath herein set himself before us for a pattern. Gods practice herein is ex∣presly set down for this very end that we should imitate him. God loveth the stran∣ger, love ye therefore the stranger, Deut. 10. 18, 19.

The many ordinances which God made for relief of strangers give good proof of Gods good respect to strangers, and speciall care of them: as

• 1. The rest of the Sabbath, Exod. 23. 12.
• 2. Gleanings of all manner of corn: and remainders of all kindes of fruits, Lev. 19. 9, 10.
• 3. Tithes, Deut. 14. 28, 29.
• 4. Restraint of wrong, Exo. 22 21. yea and of perverting their right, Deut. 24. 17.
• ...

• 5. Making them as one with his people, Lev. 19. 34.
• 6. Hearing their prayer, 1 King. 8. 41. & 9. 3.
• 7. Gods promise of good to them, Isa. 56. 6, 7. yea and of good to such as are kind to them, Ier. 22. 3, 4.
• 8. The abundant reward given to them, Matth. 25. 34, 35.
• 9. Gods indignation against such as are injurious to them, Ezek. 22. 7, 29.
• 10. Their fearfull doom, Matth. 25. 41, 43.

Upon that glimpse which the Heathen had of Gods respect to strangers, and care of them, their god was termed Hospitall Iupiter.

Many examples are in Gods Word registred concerning Saints practise of this duty: as of Abraham, (Gen. 18. 3, &c.) Lot, (Gen. 19. 3, &c.) R•…•…becca, (Gen. 24. 18, &c.) Laban, (Gen. 24. 31. & 29. 13.) Ioseph, (Gen. 41. 57.) The Isra∣elites, (Exod. 18. 12.) Rahab, (Josh. 2. 1, &c.) The old man of Gibea, (Judg. 19. 20.) Boaz, (Ruth 2. 8, 9, 10.) Iob, (Job 31. 32.) Ahimelech, (1 Sam. 22. 6.) Abigael, (1 Sam. 25. 18.) David, (1 Sam. 30. 11, 12.) Barzillai and others, (2 Sam. 17. 27. & 9. 32.) The widow of Zarepheth, (1 King. 17. 15.) Obadiah, (1 King. 18. 4.) The Shunamite, (2 King. 4. 8.) Elisha, (2 King. 4. 42.) Nehemiah, (Neh. 5. 17.)

Before I leave the History of the Old Testament, I think it meet to adde to the former examples such practices of the Heathen as are registred in the sacred Scri∣ptures: as of the Hittites, (Gen. 23. 4, &c.) Pharaoh and his people, (Gen. 12. 16.) Abimelech and his people, (Gen. 20. 1. & 26. 6, &c.) Another Pharaoh, (Gen. 45. 17. & 47. 6.) Revel, (Exod. 2. 20.) Egyptians, (Exod. 12. 35, 36.) The King of Moab, (1 Sam. 22. 34.) Achish, (1 Sam. 27. 3.) The Children of Ammon, (2 Sam. 17. 27.) Cyrus, (Ezra 1. 1, &c.) Darius, (Ezra 6. 8, &c.) Artaxerxes, (Ezra. 7. 12. Neh. 2. 8.)

Let me further adde to these out of the New Testament, The Samaritans, (Iohn 4. 40.) The Roman Centurion, (Acts 27. 3.) The Barbarians, (Acts 28. 2.)

In the New Testament I may well begin with Christ who took all opportunities of doing all manner of good to all manner of strangers: As to sundry sorts of Gen∣tiles, to Samaritans and others. In speciall his plentifull entertainment of five thousand at one time, and four thousand at another, Matth. 14. 21. & 15. 38.

Next to him we may produce the Disciples, (Luk. 24. 29.) Simon the Tanner, (Acts 9. 43.) Cornelius, (Act. 10. 48.) Lydia, (Act. 16. 15, 40.) The Iaylor, (Act. 16. 34.) Phebe, (Rom. 16. 2.) Philemon, (ver. 7. 22.) One siphorus, (2 Tim. 1. 16, 17.) Gaius, Rom. 16. 23. 3 Joh. v. 5, 6.

I might be copious in adding to these many more patterns out of Ecclesiasticall and Heathen Authors. But this cloud of approved witnesses is sufficient to such as are willing to be followers of Saints.

Gratefulnesse to God for that plenty of all needfull blessings which we in this our own Country have long enjoyed (while others of our Religion have been forced to wander up and down) should put us on the more to this duty. Yea and requitall for that kindnesse that was shewed to our Countrymen that fled into other Countries in Queen Maries daies. We also our selves who have long enjoy∣ed the blessings of our Country, may be forced from house and home, and brought to desire such succour as strangers stand in need of.