For they watched for their souls. 123 have the rule over you, in those rules and directions which they szcт. you, and submit are authorized by Christ to give you, and sub- xxii. yourselves: for they mit yourselves [to them] with a becoming rewatch for your souls, Heb. 17 as they that must spect; even though their office should some. xiii. give account: that times oblige them to make such addresses to they may do it with joy, and not with you as may for the present be disagreeable. grief: for that is un- For they are solemnly appointed to watch for profitable for you. your souls, for their everlasting safety and happiness. And well knowing that the trust is of infinite importance, they would execute it as those that must render an awful and strict account of their office, and of the fidelity with which they have discharged it. Behave towards them, therefore, while they are pursuing the several duties of it, in such a manner, that they may do it with joy, and not with inward groaning, under discouragements arising from your unkind treatment, or from such other irregularities of your conduct as may require them to interpose by any methods of severity; for that [is] most unprofitable and dangerous for you, and will on the whole be much more for your own detriment than it can possibly be for theirs. 18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in Among the rest of your Christian ministers, 18 we persuade ourselves that you will not forget us. And we entreat, that while absence may render many other instances of affection impracticable, you would not fail however to pray for us. And indeed we may very cheerfully ask, and very reasonably expect this; for though our enemies may meanly insinuate the contrary, we are confident, that we have a good conscience, and Nor can • Preside over you.] Lord Barrington That they may do it with joy, and not imagines, that he refers to the apostles of with groaning.] This must necessarily rethe circumcision, to shew that he would not fer to the present discharge of their office; in any respect derogate from their author- for it is not possible for any perverseness of ity; (Essay I. p. 87 ;) but I cannot think the people to prevent a faithful minister's the word wysuwvo, should be thus limited. I rather apprehend, with Mr. Boyse, (Serm. Vol. I. p. 415,) that it refers to those who immediately presided over them in their religious affairs, that is, the ministers of the several particular churches. The application of it to diocesan bishops is merely arbitrary. Watch for your souls.] Chrysostom says, he never read these words without trembling, though he often preached several times in a day. giving up his account with joy. 124 The apostle concludes with his salutations, SECT. have conducted ourselves, so as to have a testi- all things willing to xxii. mony to our integrity in yours, that we are de- live honestly. termined, whatever it may cost us, in all things Heb. xiii. to behave honourably, to converse in the most 18 fair and reputable manner, according to the obligations of our sacred profession and office, though we should sacrifice every thing to that 19 resolution. And I especially beseech you to do 19 But I beseech this, that is, to pray earnestly and affectionately you the rather to do for me, both in your private retirements, and restored to you the this, that I may be in your public assemblies, that I may quickly be sooner. restored to you from this confinement, and may have an opportunity of rendering you those services which were prevented by this unjust imprisonment, occasioned by the fury of the populace when I was last at Jerusalem. 20 And now to draw towards a close, may that 20 Now the God of great and blessed Being, who condescends in his peace that brought again from the dead gospel to reveal himself to us under the en- our Lord Jesus, that dearing character of the God of peace, who rec- great Shepherd of onciling us unto himself by his Son, becomes the sheep, through the author of eternal blessings, cause his choicest erlasting covenant, the blood of the ev favours to descend upou you. May he, who to confirm these gracious purposes, hath brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, who is constituted that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the everlasting covenant,d and by his blood sealed the everlasting and unchangeable covenant, which appoints him to stand in 21 that amiable relation to his people; May he, I say, make you perfect in every good work, that fect in every good you may cheerfully and constantly do his will, work to do his will, working in you that exerting an holy readiness and alacrity in the which is well pleasdischarge of every duty; himself producing in ing in his sight, you that temper and disposition of soul which through Jesus Christ: is most pleasing and acceptable in his sight, ever and ever. Ato whom be glory for through the powerful influences of his Spirit, men. given you by Jesus Christ, who hath procured this invaluable favour for his people: to whom [be] glory in all the churches, for ever and ever: Amen. 21 Make you per By the blood of the everlasting covenant.] clause with the words immediately preThere is an ambiguity in the connection ceding, namely, that great Shepherd of the of these words. Some think they refer sheep, which our Lord was constituted by to God's bringing again from the dead our the blood of the everlasting covenant. And Lord Jesus Christ, according to that en- this sense seems to be far preferable. gagement or covenant which was sealed by Compare Acts xx. 28; and John x. 11. his blood. Beza and others connect the 22 And I beseech the word of exhorta and a solemn benediction. 125 I have discovered my mind to you in the SECT you, brethren, suffer course of this epistle with great freedom; but xxii. tion; for I have writ. as it all proceeds from the most sincere affecten a letter unto you tion, I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of xiii. exhortation: for I have written to you above in 22 in few words. Heb. a few words; but if I were to open all that is in my heart, the letter would swell far beyond 23 Know ye, that the bounds I have here assigned it. In con- 23 our brother Timothy cluding it, I give you the pleasure to know that is set at liberty; with whom if he [our] dear brother Timothy, whose zeal for me come shortly, I will had for a while made him a partner in my con see you. 24 Salute all them salute you. finement, is now set at liberty, with whom if In the mean time, salute in the most respect- 24. that have the rule ful and affectionate manner, in my name, all over you, and all the saints. They of Italy that preside over you, as the officers of your respective churches, and all the other saints, who are private members of them. They who are natives of Italy, joined in the bonds of the same Christian profession, and now with me at 25 Grace be with Rome, most cordially salute you. May the 25 you all. Amen. blessing of God, and the grace of our Lord IMPROVEMENT. LET those, whom God, in the course of his Providence, hath verse called to preside over the souls of others, remember to watch over them with a becoming diligence, considering that an impartial account will shortly be required; considering, that if they do not properly conduct themselves in this important office, their blood, who perish by their neglect, must be required at their hands. 17 And let the people committed to their care be concerned, that the faithful servants of Christ may discharge their office with joy, and not with grief; that they may not from time to time be sent with groanings, and with tears, to the presence of their great Master, to lament the obstinacy, perverseness, and rebellion of those over whom God hath made them watchmen and shepherds. The grief would now sensibly affect the minister; yet, on the 126 Reflections on the duties of pastors and people. SECT. whole, as he would be to God a sweet savour in Christ, in them xxii. that perish, as well as in them that believe, the greatest detriment would fall on those who have made such ungrateful returns to the Divine goodness, and to their fidelity. verse 18 That all other duties may be more regularly and properly discharged, let private Christians be engaged to pray earnestly for their ministers; for those especially, who make it apparent, that they desire to maintain always a good conscience; and that whatever sacrifices they may be called to make to it, they are determined in all things to live reputably and honourably, so that the ministry may not be blamed, but the Christian profession in general adorned. And God grant, that none but persons of such a character may be introduced into the ministry, or supported and countenanced in it! Let pastors, and people, be often looking to him, who is the 20 great Shepherd of the sheep, and whose relation to the flock is established on the blood of the everlasting covenant. Ever may the thoughts of that blood engage us to regard him with all due veneration and love; ever may we be looking_to_him, who through this blessed Saviour, appears as the God of peace, for every blessing we respectively need. We all need his gracious influence, to implant the first principles of the Divine life; and we need them, to make us perfect to do his will, and to work in us those things which may render us 21 more completely pleasing in his sight. And therefore let an humble dependence on his grace be daily maintained and expressed; considering of how great importance it is to be acceptable in the sight of God, and to approve ourselves at all times to him. 22 That it may be so, may grace be with us all, and continue with us, from the first entrance on the Christian life, through the whole course of it, till it present us blameless in the presence of his glory, with exceeding joy. Amen. The END of the FAMILY EXPOSITOR on the EPISTLE to the |
