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 ...

§ 64. Of the rejoycing of Hope in troubles.

WEll might the Apostle attribute rejoycing to Hope, because Hope maketh us* 1.1 cast our eyes on the end of our Faith, which is hoped for, The salvation of our Souls, 1 Pet. 1. 9. Hereby it cometh to passe, that as an Husband-man be∣holding his ground that is sowed with corn fairly to grow up, rejoyceth in expecta∣tion of a great Harvest: so we, that have sown here to the Spirit, rejoyce in hope and expectation of reaping life everlasting, Gal. 6. 8.* 1.2

Though believers, before they come to the fruition of that end, are oft in sore troubles, outward and inward, on body and soul, in goods or good name: Some∣times immediately from God, and sometimes through the malice of men, yea sometimes from the apprehension of their own sinnes; yet there is no estate, whereunto in this world they can be brought, but his hope of the issue thereof, and glory following thereon, may produce a rejoycing. The Hebrews took joyfully the spoiling of their goods, knowing in themselves that they had in Heaven a better, and an enduring substance, Heb. 10. 34.

• I. Believers are subject to persecution: but the cause, their present assistance,* 1.3 and future recompence, do all give matter of rejoycing.
  • 1. Their cause is the most glorious that can be: Christs name, Act. 5. 41.
  • 2. Their assistance is more then ordinary, 2 Tim. 4. 16, 17, 18. Such hath been their assistance, as they have sung for joy in the midst of their greatest trials, Act. 16. 25.
  • 3. The end is such, as no suffering is worthy thereof, Rom. 8. 2 Cor. 4. 17. Therefore Christ exhorteth his, when they are persecuted, To re∣joyce; and be exceeding glad: because great is their reward in Heaven, Mat. 5. 11, 12.
• II. Believers are also subject to wrongs, and oppressions of worldlings: and* 1.4 though not simply for the Gospel: yet for their sheep-like and dove-like disposition, in that they are not forward to revenge wrong. He that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey, Isa. 59. 15. But the Apostle Peter saith, That this is thank-worthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. And again, If when he doth well, and suffereth for it, he take patiently, this is acceptable with God,

• 1 Pet. 2. 19, 20. That which is thank-worthy and acceptable with God, is matter of rejoycing.
• III. Beleevers likewise are, as others, subject to torturing and •…•…ormenting & * 1.5 seases, yea and to the uncomfortable disease of the plague. But,
  • 1. They know that these things are ordered by God in wisdome, in love, for their need, and for their good: and in that respect rejoyce. A wise man is glad, when a skilfull and faithfull Physician or Chyrurgion undertakes to cure him, though he be forced to drink fulsom Potions, to drink bitter Pils, to endure cupping, lancing, cutting, splinting, searing, yea sawing off a limb: Much more beleevers are glad at Gods chast•…•…sements, though they be grievous.
  • 2. Believers in all their pains and anguishes, use to call to minde the pains of hell, which their sins deserve: in comparison whereof all that can be endured in this world, is but as a flea-biting. Now that faith which they have in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 freedom •…•…rom Gods wrath, from the power of sin and Satan, from the curse of death and damnation, makes them rejoyce in all bodily pains.
  • 3. God useth in all the distresses of his Saints, whether publick or private, for maintenance of the Gospel, or trial of their graces, to give them such a spirit of consolation, as makes them rejoyce under their crosses. It is Gods usual dealing to encrease the consolations of his Spirit, according to the need of his servants, 2 Cor. 1. 5.
• IV. Believers are subject to spiritual desertions. But though these may seem to* 1.6 be as water that quencheth all the fire of spiritual joy, yet the Lord reserveth some sparks of comfort and confidence in the souls of true believers: as he did in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sonne, who in his bitterest agony, thus cried to his Father, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Mat. 27. 46. On this ground said Iob, Though he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 me, yet will I trust in him, Job 13. 15. Besides, that inward grief will turn into greater joy. After sundry dismal showry, cloudy, dark dayes, when the clouds are dispelled, the Sunne seemeth to shine more brightly and more comfortably: So the spirit of joy, after such desertions. Many of Davids Psalms which begin 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sighes, and groans, and expressions of much grief, do end in praisings and re∣joycings.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A Christians hope eyeth heaven.
• * 1.2

  Troubles take not away all joy from be∣leevers.
• * 1.3

  Beleevers joy in persecution, See a Recovery from Apostasie on Luk. 15. 32. §. 25, 26.
• * 1.4

  Beleevers com∣fort in suffer∣ing wrong•…•….
• * 1.5

  Believers com∣fort in pain.
• * 1.6

  Believers com∣fort in spiritu∣al desertions▪