Secondly, Here is a strict injunction of obedience to this Prophet. Him shall ye hear in all things, &c. By hearing, understand obedience. So words of sense are frequently put in Scripture, to signify those affections that are moved by, and use to follow those senses. And this obedience is required to be yielded to this Prophet only universally, and under great penalties.1 It's required to be given to him only, for so [Him] in the Text must be understood, as exclusive of all others. It's true, we are commanded to obey the voice of his Ministers, Heb. 13.17. But still it's Christ speaking by them, to whom we pay our obedience. He that heareth you, heareth me. We obey them in the Lord (i. e.) commanding or forbidding in Christs name, and authority. So when God said, Deut. 6.13. [thou shalt serve Him] Christ expounds it exclusively, ⟨p. 99⟩Matth. 4.10. Him only shalt thou serve. He is the only Lord, Jude 4. And therefore to him only our obedience is required. And as it's due to him only, so to him universally. Him shall ye hear in all things. His commands are to be obeyed, not disputed. A Judgement of discretion indeed is allowed to Christians, to Judge whether it be the will of Christ or no. We must prove what is that holy, good and acceptable will, Rom. 12.2. His Sheep hear his voice, and a stranger they will not follow: They know his voice, but know not the voice of strangers, Joh. 10.4, 5. But when his will is understood and known, we have no liberty of Choice, but are concluded by it, be the Duty commanded never so difficult, or the sin forbidden never so tempting. And this is also required severely, under penalty of being destroyed from among the people. And of Gods requiring it at our hands, as it is in Deut. 18. (i. e.) of revenging himself in the destruction of the disobedient. Hence the observation is.
Secondly, Here is a strict injunction of obedience to this Prophet. Him shall ye hear in all things, &c. By hearing, understand obedience. So words of sence are frequently put in Scripture, to signifie those affections that are moved by, and use to follow those sences. And this obedience is required to be yielded to this Prophet only universally, and under great penalties.1 It's required to be given to him only, for so [Him] in the Text must be understood, as exclusive of all others. It's true, we are commanded to obey the voice of his Ministers, Heb. 13.17. But still it's Christ speaking by them, to whom we pay our obedience. He that heareth you, heareth me. We obey them in the Lord (i. e.) commanding or forbidding in Christs name, and authority. So when God said, Deut. 6.13. [thou shalt serve Him] Christ expounds it exclusively, ⟨p. 99⟩Matth. 4.10. Him only shalt thou serve. He is the only Lord, Jude 4. And therefore to him only our obedience is required. And as it's due to him only, so to him universally. Him shall ye hear in all things. His commands are to be obeyed, not disputed. A Judgement of discretion indeed is allowed to Christians, to Judge whether it be the will of Christ or no. We must prove what is that holy, good and acceptable will, Rom. 12.2. His Sheep hear his voice, and a stranger they will not follow: They know his voice, but know not the voice of strangers, Joh. 10.4, 5. But when his will is understood and known, we have no liberty of Choice, but are concluded by it, be the Duty commanded never so difficult, or the sin forbidden never so tempting. And this is also required severely, under penalty of being destroyed from among the people. And of Gods requiring it at our hands, as it is in Deut. 18. (i. e.) of revenging himself in the destruction of the disobedient. Hence the observation is.
- 1Ipsum audies (i. e.) ipsum solum sic illi servi•s Deut 6.13. Exponitur illi solely Matth. 4.10.Ipsum audies (i. e.) ipsum solum sic illi servi•s Deut 6.13. Exponitur illi soli Matth. 4.10.
