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 ...

§ 6. Of the causes of mens being holy, and of calling them so.

THis excellent Prerogative of being holy cannot arise from mens selves; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one, Job 14. 4 The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whence all men sprout was most impure and unholy; But every good and every perfect gi•…•…t is from above, and •…•…ometh down from the Frther of lights, Jam. 1. 17. This Father of Lights commuaicateth holinesse to Sons of men two waies.

• 1. By imputing unto them the righteousnesse of his Son; Thus we are said to* 1.1 be made the righteousnesse of God in Christ, 2 Cor. 5. 21. and Christ is said to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of God righteorsnesse unto us, 1 Cor. 1. 30.
• 2. By coveighing his Spirit into us, who altereth their nature and disposition,* 1.2 and enableth us to perform the works of righteousnesse. In this respect he is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 only called the holy Ghost (of which phrase see more ver. 7.) But also the Spirit of holinesse, Rom. 1. 4. because he worketh holinesse in us; And Sanctification 〈◊〉〈◊〉 said to be of the Spirit, 2 Thes. 2. 13. because it is wrought in us by the Spirit of God.

Thus this excellent title Holy gives no matter of boasting unto man; For wh•…•…* 1.3 hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as if thou hadst not received it? 2 Cor. 4. 7. But it giveth just and great cause 〈◊〉〈◊〉 glorying in God, of giving all praise to God for it, and of using this divine pro∣perty to the glory of his Name.

The Apostle here giveth these Hebrews this title, not so much in regard of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 paren•…•…age, because the root from whence they sprouted was holy, Rom. 11. 16. For the partition wall betwixt Jew and Gentile was now broken down, and all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 were of the faith of Abraham were counted to be of Abrahams Seed, Gal. 3. 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ In this respect all that were born of Parents professing the faith were counted 〈◊〉〈◊〉 1 Cor. 7. 14.

The Apostle therefore here gives them this Title,

• 1. In regard of their profession, whereby they were distinguished from 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.4 persons.
• 2. In regard of his opinion of them; For he judged them to be true 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the holy Church, as he did of those to whom he said, Ye are was•…•…ed, ye 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sanctified, ye are justified, in the Name of the Lord Iesus, and by the Spirit of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God, 1 Cor. 6. 11. Thus he usually stileth all to whom he wrote, a 1.5 Saints, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 holy ones.

Quest. How did the Apostle know that they were holy?* 1.6

Answ. By their holy profession; For the ground of judging others is not •…•…∣tainty of knowledge but the rule of love, which bele•…•…veth all things and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉

things (1 Cor. 13. 7.) That is the best that may be beleeved, or hoped of them. Thus another Apostle termeth those to whom he wrote, Elect, (1 Pet. 1. 2.) yet Election is one of Gods secrets.

Besides he giveth this title indefinitely, so as they that are truly holy might ap∣ply it to themselves. For a Sermon may be preached, or a Letter written to a whole assembly without manifesting any difference betwixt person and person, when that which is preached or written is specially intended to those who in truth are such as they profess themselves to be.

This is not to justifie the wicked, for that is an abomination, Prov. 17. 15. And a* 1.7 •…•…o is denounced against them that call evil good, Isa. 5. 20. When matters are ap∣parent, judgement must answerably be given. Love makes not men blinde. When men are plainly discerned to be unholy, to call them holy is not to think or speak the best, but the worst. But when we see nothing to the contrary, then are we to judge the best of Professors. It is better to judge an hypocrite upright (if we know him not to be an hypocrite) then an upright man an hypocrite. For we may well judge otherwise then the truth is, so we judge not otherwise then love re∣quireth.

How contrary to this Apostolicall practice, is the censure of many in this age:* 1.8 who on this ground, that men are carefull to keep a good conscience, and fearfull to commit the least sinne, judge them to be dissembling hypocrites. Profession of sincerity makes many to be more vilely thought of.

More diametrically opposite to the rule of love, is their censure, who on every* 1.9 occasion are ready to call such as are not of their minde damned reprobates. Christ saith, With what judgement ye judge ye shall be judged, Matth. 7. 2. What judgement then can such look for?

Notes

• * 1.1

  Holinesse im∣puted.
• * 1.2

  Holinesse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in men by the Spirit.
• * 1.3

  Holinesse no 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of boasting.
• * 1.4

  Why they cal∣•…•… Hol•…•….
• a 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.6

  Judge accord∣in•…•… •…•…o pro∣•…•….
• * 1.7

  Justifie not the wicked.
• * 1.8

  Perverse cen∣sures.
• * 1.9

  Dia•…•…olicall censures.