Matthew Poole and continuators on Hebrews 13:17

17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit your selves: For they watch for your souls, as they that must give account: that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

The farther Duty required by Christ from the Subjects of his Kingdom, is their due Demeanour to their present Pastors, and Church-guides, or Rulers. He chargeth them to esteem and account of them, as they are, and he hath constituted them in his Church, to attend on their Ministry and Teaching, yielding full obedience to Faith to the Doctrine which they delivered from Christ, and to be subject to the Power and Authority Christ hath given them over them for their Edification, and not for Destruction; and that they imitate them in their believing and holy Conversation, Acts 20.18. And this, as to all of them, set over them by the Holy Ghost, whether ordinary, as extraordinary Apostles, Evangelists, Elders, Pastors, Teachers, doing all as commissioned by Christ, and in his Name exercising their Power and Authority, according to his express written Law about it, Ephes. 4.11, 12. knowing who receiveth, or despiseth them, dealeth so with Christ, and God, who sent them, Mat. 10.40. Luke 10.16.

Good reason they have to perform this Duty, because of their concern in, and care for their Souls. How great, by Christ's Law, are the right Watchings, and Day-Cares and Tears, Studies, Exhortations, Reproofs, Comfortings, their Preachings, and Prayers with Tears, and strong Cries to God for their Souls? Will you pay Duty to those, who watch to preserve and protect your natural Life, and not unto those spiritual Watchers, and God's Charge given to them, Acts 20.28, to 32. 2 Tim. 4.5. Rev. 3.2, 3. And God will exact and Account of them for your Souls; and they must render it at a dear Rate, Ezek 3.17, to 22. and 33.7, 9. It is at their Pe[illegible: 1 letter]il, if they are Faithless and neglect their Duty, and your Souls miscarry, Matth. 18.23. and 25.14, 30.

That they may do not only their Work chearfully and comfortably among you, but that they may give up their Account joyfully about you to God, when they have brought you home to him, 1 Thess. 2.19, 20. and which will be an eternal Comfort unto you, 2 Thess. 1.7, 10. If you be disobedient to them, tho they will have their Reward for their Fidelity from their Lord, yet with what Sighs, Tears, Groans, Sorrow and Heaviness of Heart, must they see their Labours, and your Souls lost, and to charge you before God with it? 2 Cor. 3.15, 16. and 12.21.

And what Damage will both your Disobedience to the Word of God and them, and their Account of it to God, bring on your selves? Will it then quit the cost to find your Punishment more intolerable, than that of Sodom and Gomorrah, Matth. 10.15. and 11.22, 24. when he will give you your Portion with Hypocrites, Matth. 24.51. and punish you with everlasting Destruction? 2 Thess. 1.7, 8, 9.

Marginal references: Phil. 2.29. 1 Thes. 5.12. 1 Tim. 5.17.; Or, guide.; Ezek. 3.17. and 33.2, 7.