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 ...

§. 16. Of Hospitality to be shewed by the meaner sort.

THe Hebrews were at this time in a low and mean estate, for they had been persecuted and spoiled of their goods, Heb. 10. 38. yet are they not exempted from this duty. The widow that is commended for entertaining Elijah, had but little left her, 1 King. 17. 12. The widow that was to be commended for lodging strangers, (1 Tim. 5. 10.) cannot be imagined to have been a rich widow: Nor she of whom Christ testified that of her penury she cast in all the living that she had, Luke 21. 4. The Apostle testifieth of the Churches of Macedonia, that in a great triall of affliction they sent relief to the Jews that were strangers to them:

and that their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality, 2 Cor. 8. 1, 2.

Hospitality is of so large an extent, as the poorest that be may do somewhat therein. Hospitality compriseth under it, not only great gifts, liberall allowance, f•…•…ir lodging, rich clothing, high honour, gainfull offices, and such like courte∣sies, fit for great men to give: but also a cup of cold water, (Matth. 10. 42.) guid∣ing the blinde, lifting up the •…•…ame, (Iob 29. 15.) yea raising up a strangers Ox or Asse (Deut. 22. 4.) directing them to places where they may be harboured, so∣liciting others for them, visiting, advising, admonishing, comforting them, carrying ones self familiarly with them, giving them good words, and sundry other courte∣sies, which the poorest may shew.

Besides, there are sundry privative duties, as forbearing to revile, to disgrace, to wrong, to vex, to oppresse them, or to do any other unhospitall discourteous in∣jurious act to them, Exod. 22. 21. & 23. 9. Deu. 24. 17.

It is therefore questionlesse a most undue plea which many poor and mean per∣sons make for neglecting strangers altogether. Many deal with strangers as they who are not minded to contribute any thing when a charitable collection is moved, they enveigh against the matter and motion: But their poverty and meanness shall not excuse them before God, who well knows wherein they fail of what they might and should do.