An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters…

But if these servants be Angels, how is it, that he put no trust in, or that (as we may render it word for word out of the Hebrew) he did not believe in these his servants? I shall answer that, when I have a little opened the word here translated To put trust. We find it used two ways in Scripture, sometime passively, and sometime actively. It is taken passively to be faithful, trusty, and true in word or promise. From this root the Hebrew takes the name of a Guardian or Foster-father or Steward, because such to whose care children or families are committed, ought to be most faithful in the discharge of so great a trust.

But if these servants be Angels, how is it, that he put no trust in, or that (as we may render it word for word out of the Hebrew) he did not believe in these his servants? I shall answer that, when I have a little opened the wopd here translated To put trust. We finde it used two wayes in Scripture, sometime passively, and sometime actively. It is taken passively to be faithfull, trusty, and true in word or promise. From this root the Hebrew takes the name of a Guardian or Foster-father or Steward, because such to whose care children or families are committed, ought to be most faithful in the discharge of so great a trust.

The Apostle (1 Cor. 4. 1, 2.) speaking of that heavenly Stewardship, the ministry of the Gospel, expresseth it thus, Let a man so account of us as of the Ministers of Christ, and Stewards of the mysteries of God, moreover (saith he) it is required in a Steward that a man be found faithful. And (Numb. 12. 7.) where Moses is spoken of, as a servant, he is thus described, My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all my house; he is a man whom I may trust or give credit to, for he is trusty and faithful. (Heb. 3. 2, 5.) the Apostle comparing Christ and Moses, saith of Christ, That he was faithful to him that appointed him, as Moses was faithful in all his house. So that here is an elegant Antithesis, His servants, who according to their duty and office, ought to be constant, faithful, trusty; he found unconstant unfaithful, not to be trusted.