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 ...

§. 95. Of remembring our Teachers.

TO * 1.1 remember is a proper act of the memory. The memory is placed in man as a treasury to lay up for future use such things as the understanding conceiveth to be a truth, and the will yieldeth unto as good.

This act of remembring may admit of a fourfold distinction.

• 1. To receive and lay up what is conceived by the minde. Thus the Preacher* 1.2 would have the young man remember his Creator in the daies of his youth: even then, to receive and lay up his word and works for some use, Eccl. 12. 1.
• 2. To hold fast▪ that which is so laid up. Thus it is most properly opposed to forgetfulnesse. Remember and forget not, saith Moses to the Israelites, Deut. 9. 7.
• 3. To call again to minde what hath been forgotten. Thus the Disciples are said to remember what Jesus had said to them, Ioh. 2. 22. Jesus in the time of his Mi∣nistry had told them that he should rise the third day from the dead: but they forgat it, till the time of his resurrection: Then they remembred it, that is, they called it again to minde. Thus this word is explained, Isa. 46. 8.
• 4. To think on, and consider that which we have learned: As when we are enjoyned to remember God, (Deut 8. 18.) to remember his law, (Mal. 4. 4.) to re∣member the Sabbath, (Exod. 20. 8.) These and other like things are seriously and frequently to be thought on. Our last English Translators of the Bible do oft translate the originall word, which properly signifieth to remember, thus, think on, Gen. 40. 14. Neh. 5. 19. The word remember being here spoken of things that they had before learned, may be applied to the three later distinctions; namely to hold fast, and not forget: or in case they had forgotten to use means of calling to minde again: and frequently and seriously to think on what they had heard of their teachers, and seen to be practised by them.

In these respects Ioshua adviseth the Israelites that went beyond Iordan, to re∣member the word which Moses commanded them, Josh. 1. 13. And an Angel bid them that came to seek Christ in the grave, to remember how he spake unto them when he was in Galile•…•…, Luk. 24. 6.

This word remember, is here used, because,* 1.3

• 1. It is a comprehensive word: It compriseth under it all particular duties that hearers owe to their teachers: as to praise God for them, to speak well of them, to beleeve their word, to obey their directions, to imitate their commendable pra∣ctises, &c.
• 2. Remembrance of teachers quickneth up people to do on their behalf when they are absent as much as if they were present. But no respect useth to be shewed to them that are forgotten.
• ...

• 3. Remembrance of such as are absent doth in a manner set them before our eyes; and so represents their doctrine and practise unto us, as if we saw them in the Pulpit, heard them preaching, and beheld their good conver∣sation.
• 4. Remembrance of such teachers at have begotten us to God, or further built us up in the true faith, is an especiall means to establish us in that truth which we have received from them, and to keep us steady in that way of righteousness where∣in they walked before us. For remembring of them makes them to be in absence as present with us. Continuall presence of Ministers, and their continuall preach∣ing sound doctrine, and living holily doth much confirm, and more and more build up hearers. So will the remembrance of them do.
• 5. Remembrance of teachers removed from us, will keep us from being sedu∣ced with corrupt and lewd teachers. So soon as faithfull Pastors are removed from their flocks the devil will be ready to thrust in theeves, robbers, yea and wolves amongst them. This the Apostle found to be so by wofull experience, Gal. 1. 6, 7. and 3. 1. and 4. 9. Yea he foretold as much to the Elders of Ephesus, Acts 20. 29, &c.

It is the greatest honour that living people can do to their deceased Pastors, to remember their wholsom instructions and holy conversation.

On these and other like grounds the Apostles have been very carefull in using means to put people in remembrance of them in their absence. For this cause S^t Paul sent Timoth•…•…us unto the Corinthians, to bring them into remembrance of his waies, 2 Cor. 4. 17. This S^t Peter thought meet to do as long as he lived, 2 Pet. 1. 13. for this end he wrote his second Epistle, 2 Pet. 3. 1, 2.

Hereby is discovered both the ingratitude and folly of such as having had faith∣full* 1.4 Ministers, forget them so soon as they are removed from them. It is taxed as a foul blemish in that City which was delivered by the wisdom of a poor wise man, that no man remembred that same poor man, Eccl. 9. 15. It was the destruction of Ioash, that he remembred not the kindness which Iehojada had done to him, 2 Chron. 24. 22, 23, &c.

That therefore which the Apostle here requires, as it is our duty, so it will be our wisdom to observe. This the Apostle presseth upon the Philippians, Phil. 1. 27. & 2. 12. For this he also commendeth the Corinthians, 2 Cor. 11. 2. and the Thes∣salonians, 1 Thess. 3. 6.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Memoria. 2 Pet. 1. 15.
• * 1.2

  Four acts of memory.
• * 1.3

  Reasons of remembring Ministers.
• * 1.4

  Taxation of such as forget good Mini∣sters.