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 ...

§. 60. Of Gods perfect righteousness.

Vers. 10. IN the tenth verse is laid down the reason of that good perswa•…•…* 1.1 which the Apostle had of these Hebrewes. The causall conjunc•…•…, For, doth import as much. The reason is taken from Gods righteousness or j•…•…∣stice, which is set down negatively, thus, b 1.2 not unrighteous. Here are two n•…•…∣tives, one a c 1.3 simple conjunction: the other a privative composition (•…•…∣ous.) These make the stronger affirmation. See Chap. 4. v. 13. §. 76.

This negative carryeth the greater emphasis, in that to do otherwise then is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 noted of God, would be a part of injustice. d 1.4 But to conceive any matter 〈◊〉〈◊〉 injustice in God, is apparent blasphemy.

We may therefore from this negative expression of Gods righteousness (〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not unrighteous) infer, that God is for certain most perfectly righteous. There is* 1.5 no unrighteousness in him: The Apostle with a kind of indignation, and d•…•…∣on, removeth this blasphemous conceit. For where he had propounded this •…•…∣jection, Is God unrighteous? And this: Is there unrighteousness with God? He 〈◊〉〈◊〉

•…•…lleth it, God forbid, Rom. 3. 5, 6. and 9. 14. His answer implieth, that no such •…•…eit should enter into a Christians minde.

Gods righteousness is his essence. He were not God, if he were not perfectly righteous; neither could he judge the world, Rom. 3. 6. Gen. 18. 25.

• 1. This should make us take heed of a thought to enter into our hearts, or of a* 1.6 •…•…d to slip out of our mouthes against Gods righteousness. If any thing be done by God, whereof we cannot see the reason, we must lay our hand upon our mouth, •…•…d acknowledge that notwithstanding, God is righteous therein. When Iere∣•…•… stood amazed in such a case, he thus saith, Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with thee, Jer. 12. 1. Gods will is the rule of righteousness. It is impossible that any thing done by him should be unrighteous. It is therefore righteous, because it is done by him.
• 2. This should move us in all things that fall out, whether losses or any other* 1.7 •…•…osses, to submit our selves, as to that which is just and righteous. If the wicked flourish, if the godly be oppressed, acknowledge it to be just and righteous, in re∣•…•…ce to God, by whose righteous providence all things are ordered. Such things as are unrighteously done by men, are righteously ordered by God, Acts 2. 23.
• 3. This should incite us to follow after righteousnes, and therein to shew our* 1.8 selves the children of God. The righteous Lord loveth righteousnes, both in himself, and in the children of men. Psal. 11. 7. Be righteous therefore in the whole course of thy life: righteous in all thy dealings with others. Thy righteousness will be an evidence that Gods Spirit, the Spirit of righteousness, is in thee.
• 4. This cannot be but terrour to unrighteous persons. The Lord trieth the righ∣te•…•…us:* 1.9 but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. Psal. 11. 5.

Notes

• * 1.1

  (a) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• b 1.2

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• d 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.5

  God perfectly righteous.
• * 1.6

  Entertain no thought of un∣righteousnesse in God.
• * 1.7

  Acknowledge Gods righte∣ousness in his providence.
• * 1.8

  Be like God in righteous∣ness.
• * 1.9

  Gods righte∣ousness a ter∣rour to the unrighteous.