So then, this goes further then the former, for it shows, that to exercise mercy, is the duty of his place, and that, if he will be faithful, he must be merciful. For faithfulness in any office, imports an exact performance of something appointed by him, who designs one to that office, and that as a duty: and that this is a true description of faithfulness, and also that this faithfulness so described is in Christ, we have at once implied, in that which immediately follows in the beginning of the 3. Chap. v. 3. Who was (says the Apostle, going on to speak of Christ) faithful to him that appointed him, as Moses also was faithful in all his house: we have the same thing as expressly spoken in that forequoted place, Heb. 5. (in the next words to those we even now opened,) ver. 3. And by reason hereof [he ought] to offer for sins:— he speaks it of Christs Type, the High-Priest, (as the former also he had done) But thereby to show that it is Christs duty also to mediate for all that come to him, He ought to do it. Now then to enforce this consideration, for the help of our faith herein; If this office doth by Gods appointment thus bind him to it, and if it be the duty of his place, then certainly he will perform it most exactly, ⟨p. 92⟩for else he doth not do his duty. And our comfort may be, that his faithfulness lies in being merciful; therefore (you see) they are both here joined together. Every one is to do the proper duty of his place, and exactly to see to that And therefore the Apostle Rom. 12. exhorting to the discharge of the duties of each office in the Church, ver. 7. he says, Let him that hath a Ministry committed to him, wait on his ministry; and (among others) if his place of ministration be to show mercy, (as ver. 8.) (which was an office in the Church, upon which lied the care of the poor and sick) he is to do it with cheerfulness. And so says Christ of himself, Isaiah 61. 1, 2. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, to bind up the broken hearted, to open the prison doors to them that are bound, (to visit and relieve them) and to preach good tidings to the meek. Such kind of souls are they that he hath the charge of. He is the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls, 1 Pet. 2. ult. and the sick, and the broken, they are his sheep, his charge, his Diocese, as Ezekiel hath it, Chap. 34. 16.
So then, this goes further then the former, for it shews, that to exercise mercy, is the duty of his place, and that, if he will be faithfull, he must be mercifull. For faithfulnesse in any office, imports an exact performance of something appointed by him, who designes one to that office, and that as a duty: and that this is a true description of faithfulnesse, and also that this faithfulnesse so described is in Christ, we have at once implyed, in that which immediately follows in the beginning of the 3. Chap. v. 3. Who was (sayes the Apostle, going on to speak of Christ) faithfull to him that appointed him, as Moses also was faithfull in all his house: we have the same thing as expresly spoken in that forequoted place, Heb. 5. (in the next words to those we even now opened,) ver. 3. And by reason hereof [he ought] to offer for sins:— he speaks it of Christs Type, the High-Priest, (as the former also he had done) But thereby to shew that it is Christs duty also to mediate for all that come to him, He ought to doe it. Now then to enforce this consideration, for the help of our faith herein; If this office doth by Gods appointment thus bind him to it, and if it be the duty of his place, then certainly he will performe it most exactly, ⟨p. 92⟩for else he doth not doe his duty. And our comfort may be, that his faithfulnesse lies in being mercifull; therefore (you see) they are both here joyned together. Every one is to doe the proper duty of his place, and exactly to see to that And therefore the Apostle Rom. 12. exhorting to the discharge of the duties of each office in the Church, ver. 7. he sayes, Let him that hath a Ministery committed to him, wait on his ministery; and (among others) if his place of ministration be to shew mercy, (as ver. 8.) (which was an office in the Church, upon which lyed the care of the poore and sick) he is to doe it with cheerfulnesse. And so sayes Christ of himselfe, Esay 61. 1, 2. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, to bind up the broken hearted, to open the prison doores to them that are bound, (to visit and relieve them) and to preach good tidings to the meeke. Such kind of soules are they that he hath the charge of. He is the great Shepheard and Bishop of soules, 1 Pet. 2. ult. and the sick, and the broken, they are his sheep, his charge, his Diocese, as Ezekiel hath it, Chap. 34. 16.
