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 ...

§. 82. Of Gods hardning mans heart.

GOD is said to harden as a Judge, inflicting hardness of heart as a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Rom. 1. 24. Now because man wittingly did that which deserves that •…•…∣ment, he hardens his own heart: even as a thief, who is condemned by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 may be said to hang himself.

That Gods justice may in this point be mere clearly manifested, observe the particular respects wherein God is said to harden mans heart. They are these.

• 1. In that all actions and motions (as they are actions and motions) come from* 1.1 God, as our very being doth. For in him we live and move and have our being. Act. 17. 28. But the pravity of the action or motion cometh from man: Therefore man properly hardneth himself.
• 2. In that God hinders not men from doing that which hardneth: but God is the most high supream Soveraign▪ there is none above him to bind him to do any thing. He being not bound to hinder men from doing what they do, who can, who shall blame him? Matth. 20. 15. Man himself doth the very deed.
• 3. In that he withholdeth or withdraweth his softning spirit. For mans own spirit is a resisting spirit, Act. 7. 51. It must be a higher and stronger spirit which keepeth mans spirit in compass. But Gods withholding, or withdrawing his Spirit is in justice for some sin of man.
• 4. In that God offereth the occasions whereby mans heart is hardened: as, his Word, Sacraments, Mercies, Judgements, Miracles and such like. But these oc∣casions are in themselves good, their proper end is to soften. It is by mans per∣verting them that they harden; man in this case is like the spider that sucketh poyson out of sweet flowers.
• 5. In that God giveth over to Satan, who hardneth mans heart. But God doth this as a just Judge: Satan being his executioner. Man himself brings this judgement upon himself.

Notes

• * 1.1

  In what re∣spects God is said to harden.