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 ...

§. 70. Of children, wherein it is a grace or disgrace to be like them.

THe Apostle in following the metaphor of using milk, addeth this reason, For •…•…e is a babe. Babes must be fed with milk.

The Greek word translated, a 1.1 babe, according to the notation of it, signifieth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that cannot speak: To this purpose saith the Prophet, I cannot speak, for I am •…•… childe, Je•…•…. 1. 6.

An b 1.2 infant in Latine hath also the same notation. He is not able to give an ac∣count of his faith.

This title childe or babe, is a word of disgrace to one grown in years. The Apo∣•…•… doth here use it for a further aggravation of the forementioned fault of being 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in hearing.

Quist. How can that be a matter of reproach which is required of us: for we are commanded, As new born babes to desire the sincere milk of the word, 1 Pet. 2. 2. and to be as children, Matth. 18. 3.

A•…•…sw. The same thing in divers respects may be divers, and accordingly, in* 1.3 〈◊〉〈◊〉 respect be praise-worthy; and in another respect blameworthy. Christ and righteous ones in courage are resembled to a Lion, (Rev. 5. 5. Prov. 28. 1.) Satan 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and wicked ones, in cruelty, (1 Pet. 5. 8. Psal. 10. 9.) Christ in his sudden 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is resembled to a thief, (Rev. 16. 15.) and false teachers in deceit, (Ioh. 10▪ 8.) Christians in prudence are resembled to a serpent, (Matth. 10. 16.) and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ones in venom or poyson, (Psal. 58. 4.) Mans regenerate part in softnesse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 resembled to flesh, (Ez•…•…k. 11. 19.) and the unregenerate part in corruption, (〈◊〉〈◊〉. 3. 6.) The things of the Kingdom of God in communicating their good 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are resembled to leaven, (Matth. 13. 33.) and false doctrine in infecting, Matth. 16. 6.

To apply this to the point in hand, there are sundry respects wherein it is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to be as a childe or babe: and other respects wherein it is discom∣•…•….

The former respects are these,

• 1. Simplicity, honesty, plainnesse, truth. These graces are implied to be in chil∣dren,* 1.4 Isa. 11. 8. We have a Proverb, that, Children will tell truth.
• 2. Humility and meeknesse: Herein doth Christ set forth children as a pattern, Matth. 18. 4. So doth the Psalmist, Psal. 131. 2. By experience we see that a great mans child scorns not to play with the child of a mean man.
• 3. Freedom from rancor, malice, envy and such like violent and evil passions, 1 Cor. 14. 20.
• 4. Desire of milk whereby they are nourished. A childe is seldom quiet 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the breast-milk: that quickly quiets it. Herein we are exhorted to be like 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 1 Pet. 2. 2.
• 5. Growing and increasing, 1 Pet. 2. 2. Childhood is a growing age: Whe•…•… men come to man-age they use to stand at a stay.
• 6. Taking notice of their parents, and depending on them. Lambs, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and other young ones know their own dams, and will quickly find them out i•…•… •…•… great Flock or Heard. The Prophet sheweth that the Ox and Asse, the most •…•…∣tish of bruits know where they are fed, Isa. 1. 3. Your heavenly Father 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that you have need of these and these things, (Matth. 6. 31.) Will you not then 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on him?
• 7. Subjection to their parents will, which is a Law to children, (1 Pet. 1. 14.) and seeking their parents honour, Mal. 1. 6. Christ hath made himself a patter•…•… herein, Luk. 2. 51.
• 8. Care to imitate their parents, and seeking to be like them, Ioh. 8. 39. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 12. 1 Pet. 1. 16, 17. Eph. 5. 1. Matth. 5. 48.
• 9. Retaining a childelike affection to their parents, and reverencing them, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they correct them, Heb. 12. 9.
• 10. Returning to them after they have offended them, Luk. 15. 18. That •…•…∣ction which a child conceiveth to be in his parents towards him, will be in him to∣wards his parents.

The respects wherein it is discommendable and disgracefull to be as children, are* 1.5 such as these.

• 1. Ignorance and want of capacity, 1 Cor. 14. 20.
• 2. Vanity and delighting in toyes; as painted pears, rattles and such like. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 I became a man * 1.6 I put away childish things, 1 Cor. 13. 11.
• 3. Levity, inconstancy, Eph. 4. 14. We say of a child that it is won with a 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and lost with the shell.
• 4. Disability to mannage weighty affairs, Eccl. 10. 16. Isa. 3. 4. Ier. 1. 6.
• 5. Nonproficiency, and a small measure of knowledge, faith, and other gra∣ces. In this respect children are here opposed to men well grown: and babes are counted carnall, and opposed to such as are spirituall. This last respect is here espe∣cially meant.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, qua•…•…i 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• b 1.2

  Infant qui fari non potest.
• * 1.3

  The same things may have divers re∣ferences.
• * 1.4

  Wherein we ought to be as children.
• * 1.5

  Wherein we ought no•…•… to be like chil∣dren.
• * 1.6

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