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 ...

§. 167. Of sinne grieving God.

THe later Question wherein the Answer to the former consisteth, is set down negatively, thus, Was it not with them? &c. This implieth a sure, certain, and unquestionable affirmation, and determination of a point: as where it is said, Have we not all one Father? Hath not one God created us? Mal 2. 10. This Christ maketh most clear: For after he had propounded this negative Question, Shall not God avenge his own Elect? &c. He thus addeth, I tell you that he will avenge them speedily, Luk. 18. 7, 8. This later express conclusion, demonstrateth the infallible certainty of the former Question.

In that this negative Question inferres that they that had sinned grieved God, it is most certain that it was the sinne of the Israelites whereby God was so much grieved.

It was shewed (§ 148.) that the ^b Greek word here translated sinned, by an* 1.1 Hebrew notation signifieth to imbitter, and provoke. Sinners therefore must needs grieve God. It is said, that it grieved God at the heart for the sins of the old world, Gen. 6. 6. And of the Son of God it is said, that he was grieved for the hardness of peo∣ples hearts, Mark 3. 5.

Object. It is also said, that the soul of the Lord was grieved for the misery of Israel, Judg. 10. 16. If he be grieved at peoples misery, then not at their sinnes only.

Answ.

• 1. Sinne was the cause of their misery: so as in grieving at their mise∣ry,* 1.2 God also grieved at their sinne: yea sinne also might be mixed with their misery.
• 2. There is a double kinde of grief: One through indignation: The other through compassion. With the former God properly grieves at sinne: with the later at misery.

God cannot but be much grieved at sinne, because it is directly contrary to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 minde and will, to his purity and holiness, to his power and Soveraignty, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 other his Divine Excellencies.

This ought to be as a bridle and curb to hold us in, and restrain us from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Who would grieve the Divine Majesty? especially so as to stirre up the fire 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his indignation. Who would set the briars and thorns against me in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 saith the Lord, I would go through them, I would burn them together, Isa. 27. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Will any be so foolish as being like briars and thorns, fit fuell for fire, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dare to blow up the fire of Gods indignation?

Notes

• * 1.1

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

  How God grieves at sinne and misery.