A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ...

§. 166. Of propounding and resolving Points interrogatory.

Verse 17.

But with whom was he grieved fourty years? was it not with them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sinned, whose carkases fell in the wilderness?

THe exemplification of the persons that sinned, and were punished in the •…•…∣derness, is laid down in this and the next verse.

That it might the better appear who they were that were exempted, the •…•…∣stle here makes inquiry after those who grieved God, and thereupon •…•…∣nished.

The particle of opposition, a 1.1 BUT, intimateth that the questions in this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 propounded tend to that purpose: as if he had said, Seeing all of them pro•…•… not God, who were they that provoked him?

By this propounding the matter interrogatively, he gives them occasion 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.2 seriously to consider it. For a Question propounded, makes them who hear 〈◊〉〈◊〉, think with themselves what fit resolution may be given thereto. For this e•…•…d, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and such like phrases use to be set before Questions, How think you? What 〈◊〉〈◊〉 you? Do you think? Tell me, How think you? If a man have an hundred 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave, &c. Matth. 18. 12. What thi•…•…

a certain man had two sonnes, &c. Matth. 21. 28. Do you think that the Scripture saith in vain? &c. Iames 4. 5. Tell me, Which of them will love him most? Luk. 7. 42.

The Apostle was desirous that they might clearly and fully understand the point in hand, and that they might well heed it, and therefore thus propounds it inter∣rogatively. Parables, Paraphrases, Analyses or Resolutions of Scripture, and all manner of Expositions tend to the same end.

That which the Apostle expressed in the former verse under this word b 1.3 provo∣ked, he here sets down under this metaphor c 1.4 grieved. The former had reference to the people that sinned; they provoked God. This later hath reference to God, and is an effect or consequence following thereupon. By their provoking God, God was grieved. Of grieving God, See v. 10. §. 103.

Gods continuing to be grieved is expressed in these words fourty years. This cir∣cumstance of time was set down before in reference to the peoples continuing in sin. See v. 10. §. 102.

Here it is applied to the continuance of Gods grieving at them, and therein am∣plifies his patience in bearing with them so long. Hereof see v. 9. §. 100, 101.

The Answer to the foresaid Question is returned by another Question, thus, Was it not with them that had sinned? This manner of answering one Question with another is very elegant and emphaticall. It shews two points.

The first is conclusive, and implieth, that the matter questioned is so clear and evident as no Question need to be made thereof: as where the Apostle having made this Question, Is God unrighteous, who taketh vengeance? thus answereth it, Then how shall God judge the world? Rom. 3. 5, 6. And to this Question, Shall we sinne, because we are under grace? he giveth this Answer, Know ye not that to whom y•…•… yield your selves servants to obey, his servants ye are? Rom. 6. 15, 16.

The other point is exclusive, and implieth, that God was grieved with none, and punished none but such as sinned, Gen. 18. 23, &c. Ezek. 18. 4, &c. Ezek. 9. 4. Rev. 7. 2. For the Lord is a just and a righteous God, Gen. 18. 25.

Hereof see more in The Plaister for the Plague on Numb. 16. 45. §. 12, 13, 14, 15.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.2

  Why points propounded interrogatively
• b 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• c 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.