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 ...

§. 48. Of rejecting that which beareth Thornes and Bryers.

Heb. 6. 8.

THe Apostle having declared the happy condition of such, as well use the 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.1 of grace, addeth thereunto the wofull plight of such as pervert those mean•…•…. This particle of opposition, BUT, sheweth that these two verses set down co•…•…∣ry subjects.

In this verse the Apostle followeth the former comparison. The principall s•…•…∣ject mentioned in the beginning of the former verse, which is, earth, must 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be understood, thus, But the earth which bearing thornes, &c.

As in our English, so in the Greek, there are different words used in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and this verse; For he doth not say as he did before, the earth which a 1.2 bring•…•… forth: but which beareth. This latter word in Greek is a b 1.3 compound: and •…•…∣cording to the composition, it signifieth to carry out, as men carry out a dead 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Acts 5. 6, 9, 10. It implyeth a thrusting out of that which it is not willing to •…•…∣tain.

The things so brought out, are here said to be Thornes and Bryers. These are •…•… onely unprofitable plants, but hurtfull also, by reason of their prickles.

The notation c 1.4 of both Greek words imply a sharpness, and prickleness. They are oft joyned together, as here, and Mat. 7. 16. So Isai. 5. 6. and 7. 23, 24, 25.

Thornes were wreathed together, and platted as a Crown on Christ's head, to •…•…ick and gall him. With Bryers and Thornes both, Gideon did teare the flesh of the Princes of Succoth. Judg. 8. 7. Both of them use to grow in the Wilderness (Iudg. 8. 16.) and grounds untilled, Isai. 32. 13.

Under these Metaphors are here understood such sins as most grieve Gods Spirit:* 1.5 and are most hurtfull to men: as a renouncing of the Christian Faith, blasphemy, opp•…•…ession, persecution, and such other sins.

The Land, that after good Tillage putteth forth such Thornes and Bryers, is said to be rejected.

d 1.6 The Greek word translated, rejected is a compound. The e 1.7 simple, signi∣fieth that which upon experience and good proof is approved, Rom. 16. 10. 2 Tim. •…•…. 15. f 1.8 The preposition with which it is compounded is privative: so as it set∣teth forth such a thing, or person, as can no way be approved: and thereupon to be utterly rejected. It is oft translated reprobate, 2 Cor. 13. 5, 6, 7.

Hereby is evidently demonstrated, that they who despise the meanes of grace shall be utterly rejected of God: even as that Land, which after much and long Tillage, is so far from bringing forth a good crop, as it beareth Thornes and Bryars. This name 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is a title of rejection, Hos. 1. 9. Gods taking away the hedge of his Vineyard, and breaking down the wall thereof, proves as much, (Isai. 5. 5.) So doth his cutting down the Fig-tree (Luk. 13. 7.) and the putting of the Ax to the root of the Tree (Matth. 3. 10.) And leaving Ierusalem desolate, Mat. 23. 38. All these threatnings are actually accomplished upon the Iewes. And to shew that this case is not proper to the Jewes onely, the like is threatned to Christians, Rom. 11. 21. This may be exemplified in all the Churches planted by the Apostles. Where now is Ephesus? Where Smyrna? and the other Golden Candlesticks of Asia? Where Corinth? Where Galatia and the rests. Are they not all rejected? Where is Reme? is it not a foule nest of unclean birds?

Common justice requires as much: whereupon Parents, Masters, all sorts of Go∣•…•…emors, use to do the like.

Besides, this makes much to the honour of God: lest otherwise he might seem to patronise such as are past hope.

Yea, further this makes to the advantage of such as are faithfull, for they are here∣by admonished to be more carefull in improving the means of grace afforded unto them: lest otherwise this great mischief should befall them.

Que•…•…. How may men be said to be rejected.

Answ.

• 1. A Nation is rejected, when the Gospell is taken away from them, and given to another Nation, Mat. 21. 43.
• 2. A particular assembly is rejected, when good pastors are taken away: and in∣stead of them, idle and idol Shepheards are set over them: whereby they fall from that which before they seemed to have.
• 3. Particular persons are rejected, when they are given over to hardnesse of heart, as the Iewes were, Isai. 6. 10. Thus they may stand as dead Trees in an Orchard: but at length they shall be cut down. All particular impenitent persons are utterly rejected by death.

Object. So all may be rejected.

Answ. Not so; for such as bring forth good fruit, are by death transplanted from the nursery of Gods Militant Church, to his glorious Orchard of the Triumphant Church.

Take heed that you provoke not God to complain and say, What could have been done more to my vineyard that I have not done in its Isa. 5. 4. God hath sent us many Ministers time after time: and they have taken great paines in plowing, dig∣ging, dunging: and God hath sent down rain, time after time: what then can be expected, if, instead of herbs, we beare Briers and Thornes.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The inf•…•…∣rence.
• a 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• b 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• c 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Spira. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Cuspis. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. T•…•…ibulus. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Iaculum.
• * 1.5

  What meant by Thornes and Bryers.
• d 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• e 1.7

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• f 1.8

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. What to be rejected.