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 ...

§. 45. Of instructing by comparisons.

Heb. Chap. 6. v. 7, 8.

Verse 7.

For the earth which drinketh in the raine that commeth ost upon it, and •…•…∣eth •…•…orth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God▪

Verse 8.

But that which beareth Thornes and Bryars, is rejected, and is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cursing, whose end is to be burned.

THese two verses are an amplification of the fore-mention'd estate of Apostates▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that by a comparison, whereby the equity of Gods proceeding against them is demonstrated: in which respect this comparison is brought in as a confirmation of the point; and knit to the former verses with this causall particle a FOR.

The proof is from the less to the greater. If the senseless b earth, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 raine, and tillage beareth Thornes, and Bryars, be rejected, cursed, and bu•…•…: much more shall reasonable men, who after illumination, and other good gifts, crucifie the Son of God, and put him to open shame, be rejected, not rene•…•… a∣gain, but for ever accursed.

This argument is amplified by the contrary event of good, and fertile ground. For as that earth receiveth blessing from God; so they, who having means of 〈◊〉〈◊〉

〈◊〉〈◊〉 afforded unto them, go on to perfection, shall be blessed of God.

Th•…•… this comparison that is here set down by the Apostle, hath reference to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that well use the meanes of grace: to encourage them to hold on in so doing; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 also to Apostates, who pervert the meanes of grace; to keep men from Apo∣•…•….

This manner of the Apostles setting forth his minde under a comparison, mani∣•…•… his prudence in laying before his people the equity of what he had delivered; and that so, as they might the better discern the same, and be the more thorowly convinced thereof.

Thus might they be the more moved therewith, and the better edified thereby.

This is it which Ministers ought especially to aim at. Seek, saith the Apostle, Seek that ye may excell to the edifying of the Church, 1 Cor. 14. 12. This will be best done, by descending to the capacity of people: and by delivering the word after such a manner, as it may best be conceived, relished, retained, and yeelded unto.

For the foresaid end comparisons are a singular help. As they are warrantable, so they are profitable to edification. They have been much used by the Prophets, and by Christ himself. Comparisons are of use,

• 1. To help understanding, and that by comparing things not so well known, with such things as we are well acquainted withall.
• 2. To strengthen memory. For earthly things, from which comparisons use to be taken, are as course threed, or wire, on which Pearles use to be put, and thereby kept from scattering.
• 3. To work upon affection. For visible and sensible things do use most to work upon men; whether in matters pleasing and joyous, or displeasing and grievous.

Quest. How is it then that Christ taught people in parables, because they seeing see •…•…, Matth. 13. 13.

Answ. 1. When the understanding of hearers is closed, then they can reap no good by those meanes which are usefull to others; as a blinde man can reap no benefit by light.

Secondly, Christ opened not his parables to them, as he did to his Disciples, Mat. 13. 18, &c. Parables are in this respect usefull for instruction, because they may be applyed to all sorts of cases. They have herein a fitness of teaching above true Hi∣stories: it is not lawfull to turn from the truth of an History upon any occasion. But in a parable there is no swerving from truth, because nothing is delivered for truth.

For well ordering comparisons, observe these rules.

First, take them from common, ordinary matters, well known and familiar to all of all sorts: especially to those for whose sake the Parables are used.

Secondly, let not the matter of them be of matters impossible, no nor impro∣bable. So will they be taken to be untrue, and the use of them lost.

Thirdly, Let them be fitly applyed: at least to the main point in hand, otherwise it cannot be well discerned what they aim at.

Fourthly, Let them be expounded, when they are not conceived, or may be mis∣applyed.

All those rules may be gathered out of Christ's Parables, and his manner of using them. For

First, They were taken from ordinary matters, such as every one knew: as from Corn, Mustardseed, Leaven, and such other things: or else from familiar stories, Luk. 15. 3, 8, 11.

Secondly, They were all carried with great likelihood of matters to be so, as he set them out to be.

Thirdly, Christ in all his Parables had an especiall eye upon the main occasion for which he produced them; to make that most cleer.

Fourthly, Christ was carefull to expound his Parables to his Disciples: Some∣times when they desired him to expound them, Matt. 15. 15, &c. And sometimes of his own motion, when he was not desired, Mar. 4. 34.

Notes

• a

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• Plain teach∣ing.
• Comparisons usefull.
• Rules for well ordering com∣parisons.