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 ...

§. 142. Of lying as it is impossible to God.

THe verb translated a 1.1 to lie, is of the passive voice: but is of a naturall signifi∣cation. It is derived from an active, which signifieth b 1.2 to deceive▪ or to frustrate, fail•…•…, and disappoint. So as to lie is to utter a thing with a mind to deceive. The c 1.3 latine word, according to the notation thereof, signifieth to go, or to speak, a∣gainst ones mind. To utter an untruth is not simply to lie: at least if a man be per∣swaded that that which he uttereth, is a truth: but to utter a thing against consci∣ence, and with a mind to deceive is a plain lie. Thus Ananias and Sapphira lied, Act. 5. 3, 4.

That which is so uttered is stiled d 1.4 a lie, Ioh. 8. 44. And he that uttereth it e 1.5 a lier, Rev. 2. 2. The titles of such as deal falsly and deceitfully are compound∣ed therewith: as a f 1.6 false brother, Gal. 2. 4. g 1.7 A false Apostle, 2 Cor. 11. 13. h 1.8 A false teacher, 2 Pet. 2. 1. i 1.9 A false speaker, 1 Tim. 4. 2. k 1.10 A false wit∣nesse, Matth. 26. 60. l 1.11 A false Prophet, Matth. 7. 15. m 1.12 A false Christ, Matth. 24. 24. n 1.13 A thing falsly called, 1 Tim. 6. 20. That which is here intended to be impossible for God, is to faile in performing his promise: especially that which is confirmed by oath.

We shall not heare need to speak of that which God confirmeth by oath: for it was shewed (§. 140.) that Gods oath is inviolable: and it will by necessary con∣sequence follow, that if it be impossible that God should faile in any word at all, It would much more be impossible, that he should faile in that which he confirmeth by oath.

For the generall, that God cannot in any case lie, or faile of his word, is evident by an Epithite attributed to him, which we thus translate, o 1.14 that cannot lie, Ti∣tus 1. 2. It intends as much as this phrase, It is impossible for him to lie. The foresaid Epithite is compounded with p 1.15 a privative preposition, that implieth an utter pri∣vation of such a thing: and that there is no inclination thereunto. As God is light and in him is no darknesse, (1 John 1. 5.) so he is truth, and in him there can be no lie. The strength of Israel will not lie, 1 Sam. 15. 29. herein is made a difference betwixt God and man, God is not a man, that he should lie, Num. 23. 19. For God to lie, were to deny himself: but God cannot deny himself, 2 Tim. 2. 13.

Gods truth is infinitely perfect: it admits no variablenesse, neither shadow of turning, Jam. 1. 17. Yea, Gods truth is essentiall to him, so as his essence may as soon be brought to nothing, as his truth to a lie.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• b 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• c 1.3

  Menti•…•…i est contra men∣tem ire.
• d 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Rom. 3. 7.
• e 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Joh. •…•…. 44.
• f 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• g 1.7

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• h 1.8

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• i 1.9

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• k 1.10

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• l 1.11

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• m 1.12

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• n 1.13

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• o 1.14

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• p 1.15

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