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 ...

§. 46. Of the most excellent and dearest Son of God suffering.

Verse 8.

Though he were a Sonne, yet learned he obedience by the things 〈◊〉〈◊〉 i•…•… suffered.

THis verse is added to satisfie a doubt which might be raised from the dignity 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christ, and from the relation betwixt the Father and him: For he •…•…s •…•…∣styled a Son in reference to God the Father.* 1.1

To expresse this relation the more clearly, the Vulgar Latine setteth down 〈◊〉〈◊〉 correlative, thus, * 1.2 Son of God. But there is an emphasis in this indefinite expre•…•…▪ Son; as was shewed, Chap. 1. v. 2. §. 15.

The doubt is this: Christ is the Sonne of God: farre more excellent 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.3 the most excellent of creatures: he is the beloved Sonne of God: how then 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it that he should be brought to such an agony as is mentioned in the fo•…•… verse?

Answ. God would have it so, that his Sonne might experimentally know 〈◊〉〈◊〉 farre he ought to subject himself to his Father: namely, not only by doing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his Father required, but also by enduring what his Father was pleased to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on him: and therein to make himself a pattern to others. This is the main scope 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this verse.

This Conjunction b 1.4 Though, is the note of an argument that is called c 1.5 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which sheweth a difference from another thing, not simply in the nature of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thing, but in some speciall respect: as where God saith of the Israeli•…•…es, T•…•… brake my Covenant, although I was a husband unto them, Jer. 31. 32. To keep Co∣venant with an husband well agree: but in them who kept not Covenant with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their husband, they did disagree. Thus to be a Sonne, and to be free from •…•…∣fering may stand well together: But in Christ they were divers; for he was •…•… Sonne, yet not freed from suffering. Of the kindes of argument, See Chap. •…•… v 9. § 59.

This title Sonne, in reference to God properly belongeth to Christ, as 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.6 been shewed, Chap. 1. v. 2. §. 15. It sets out the dignity and excellency of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 above the most excellent of creatures, as hath been proved, Chap. 1. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 §. 39, 41.

Here it is taken for Christs person consisting of two natures, God and 〈◊〉〈◊〉. As man he suffered; as God he was able to endure the utmost that was in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 upon him.

From this instance we may well inferre, that neither excellency in ones self, 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.7 dearnesse unto God exempteth any in this world from suffering.

Can any be thought to be more excellent then the Sonne of God, whom G•…•… hath set at his right hand, and made King of Kings and Lord of Lords? O•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 any be thought dearer to God then his dear Sonne, styled the d 1.8 Sonne of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (Col. 1. 13.) The beloved, (Eph. 1. 6.) His beloved Sonne in whom he is well 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (Matth. 3. 17.) His elect in whom his soul delighteth, Isa. 42. 1.

If this Sonne be not exempted from suffering, who can look to be exemp•…•…

•…•…y instances in all ages of such as have been highly advanced by God, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 beloved of him might be produced to demonstrate, that neither excel∣•…•…cy in place or parts, nor interest in Gods favour have exempted them from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…rings.

• 1. As for dignity and excellency it makes no difference before God. God is the supream Lord over all, and in reference to him all are fellow-servants: so as the greatest can plead no more immunity at Gods hand, then the 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• 2. As for interest in Gods favour, God can and will turn the sufferings of his children to his own glory, and their good. Nothing ever made more to Gods glo∣ry then Christs sufferings, and nothing more made to Christs advancement then they, Phil. 2. 8, 9.

• 1. Let them who have excellency above others in this world, apply this to them∣•…•…es, and be willing to put their necks under Gods yoke, and contentedly bear what God shall lay upon them.
• 2. Let them who think they have interest in Gods favour, not so rely thereupon, •…•…s to count themselves free from all correction. God is not like a foolish cockering 〈◊〉〈◊〉 other. He knows that corrections are needfull and usefull for his children. They who take themselves to be beloved of God, may rather look for triall of their obe∣•…•…ence this way, Heb. 12. 6, 7, 8.
• 3. This is a matter of great consolation to such as are thus tried. Herein they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dealt withall as God useth to deal with his dearest. Herein also they are made conformable to Christ their head.
• 4. Let others take heed of censuring such as are brought to suffer. This was the errour of Iebs Friends. Gods best and dearest children may be thus miscensured.

Notes

• * 1.1

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

  Filiu•…•… Dei.
• * 1.3

  Why the Son of God suffer∣ed.
• b 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• c 1.5

  Diversum.
• * 1.6

  Christ the Son 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God.
• * 1.7

  T•…•…e •…•…eatest 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• d 1.8

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