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 ...

§. 34. Of being made partakers of the Holy Ghost.

THe third step whereupon Apostates are here said to ascend, is in these word•…•…, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 were made partakers of the Holy-Ghost.

Of the meaning of this word partakers. See Chap. 3. v. 1. §. 17.

Of this title Holy-Ghost. See Chap. •…•…. v. 4. §. 35.

The Holy Ghost is here metonymically put for the gifts and operations of 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.1 Spirit of God, which he worketh in men. In this sense this title Holy-Gho•…•…t is f•…•…e∣quently used, as Act. 8. 15. and 19. 6. This is evident by joyning of the gil•…•…s •…•…∣selves to the Spirit; thus, The Spirit of wisdome, the Spirit of counsell, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 knowledge, &c. Isa. 11. 2. So the Spirit of Faith, 2 Cor. 4. 13.

They properly are said to be made partakers of the Holy-Ghost, in whom the •…•…∣fying* 1.2 Spirit hath wrought speciall spirituall Gifts, such as are above nature; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 such as cannot be attained either by the instinct of nature, or by any help of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, without an especiall work of the Holy-Ghost. Such were those morall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which were wrought in him, of whom it is said, Iesus loved him, Mark 10. 2•…•…, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. such was that counsell wherewith Achitophel was endued, 2 Sam. 16. 23. and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…∣bility which Saul had to govern the Kingdom. 1 Sam. 10. 9. and 11. 6. and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 gift of prophecy, and working of miracles that was bestowed on them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christ would not acknowledge, Matth. 7. 22, 23. and that▪ obedience which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yeelded to Iohns Ministry, Mark. 6. 20. and that rejoycing which the Jewes h•…•…d 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that light which Iohn held forth, Iohn. 5. 35.

Quest. Can hypocrites, and reprobates partake of the gifts of the sanctifying 〈◊〉〈◊〉?

Answ. Yes, they may partake of such gifts as the sanctifying Spirit 〈◊〉〈◊〉,* 1.3 though not of his sanctifying gifts. They are said to be made 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Holy-Ghost, because that Spirit which sanctifieth others, doth work 〈◊〉〈◊〉 gifts in them: and because many of those gifts which arewrought in them, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in others to be sanctifying gifts: as knowledge, wisdom, faith, repentance, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God, temperance, and such like.

The difference betwixt that participation of the Holy-Ghost, which they 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.4 are effectually called, and they, who are only formally called, have, lyeth in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 things especially.

• ...

  1. In the kind of them. For the former are altered, and renewed in their 〈◊〉〈◊〉. In this sense saith David, Create in me a clean heart O God: and renew a right Spirit within me, Psal. 51. 10. The other are onely restrained; As Saul, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 were.

  This difference is herein discerned, in that they who are effectually called, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wrought upon thorowout, as David who is said to have a perfect heart: but the o∣ther in some respects only, as Abijam 1 Kin. 15. 3. and Herod, Mar. 6. 20.

• 2. In the use of them. Renewing gifts are for the good of the parties themselves, even their own Salvation. Eph. 2. 8. 1 Pet. 1. 9. Restraining gifts are for the good of others; in which respect the Apostle saith that they are given to pr•…•…fit 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 1 Cor. 12. 7. such was Achitophels prudence. 2 Sam. 16. 23. These gifts are, as the Lanthorn in the Admiralls Ship, for the good of the whole Navy.
• 3. In the continuance of them. Renewing gifts are permanent, they never 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Rom. 11. 29.

The other are like the corn sown in stony ground, which endureth but for a while, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 13. 21. If they continue the whole time of a mans life, yet then they clean fall a∣way. For when a wicked man dyeth, his expectation shall perish, Prov. 11. 7.

Quest. What difference is there betwixt the second, and third step: namely be∣twixt tasting the heavenly gift, and being made partakers of the Holy-Ghost.

Answ. Though the second may be comprized under the third: for the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.5 the heavenly gift is wrought by the Holy-Ghost: yet by the latter, such effects as follow upon the former, and are extraordinary evidences of the work of God•…•… Spirit in men, are meant. The effects are such as make a difference betwixt a di•…•…∣bolicall, and hypocriticall faith. For the Devill believes and trembles, Ia•…•…. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. but many hypocrites who are outwardly called, believe, and rejoyce, as the Je•…•…es

did, Iohn 5. 35. and Herod, Mark. 6. 20. This joy presupposeth comfort, and con∣•…•…; and restraineth from many sins, and putteth upon the practise of many duties. Extraordinary evidences of Gods Spirit are those gifts, which the Apostle 〈◊〉〈◊〉 up, 1 Cor. 12. 8, 9, 10. These confirm the truth of Gods word to them∣selves, and others. Thus they prove the more usefull: in which respect they who f•…•…ll from them, are the more inexcusable.

That which is here said of hypocrites being made partakers of the Holy-Ghost, should work care, and diligence about trying and proving those gifts of the Spirit, which we think we have: and not upon every work of the Spirit too rashly infer, that we are certainly sanctified, and shall undoubtedly be saved.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Holy-Ghost put for gifts.
• * 1.2

  Who parta∣kers of the Holy-Ghost.
• * 1.3

  How hypo∣crites partake of the Holy-Ghost.
• * 1.4

  Difference betwixt gifts of hypocrites and others.
• * 1.5

  Difference be∣twixt tasting the heavenly gift and par∣taking the Holy-Ghost.