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 ...

§. 63. Of Gods remembring good.

THe manifestation, evidence or effect of Gods being not unrighteous, is thus set 〈◊〉〈◊〉, a 1.1 To forget your work, &c.

To forget is directly contrary to remember. He therefore that is not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 forget, is righteous to remember: his righteousness will move him to remem•…•… such and such persons or things.

These acts, not to forget, or to remember, are attributed to God metaphoric•…•…, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 way of resemblance, after the manner of man. They imply that God is ever mi•…•…∣full* 1.2 of such and such persons to support, to succour, and every way to do 〈◊〉〈◊〉 good: and withall to recompence all the good they do. He that forgets no•…•…, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ever remember. Hereupon the Psalmist professeth, that the righteous shall be in •…•…∣lasting remembrance, Psal. 112. 6. So faithfull is Gods remembrance of his Saints, as a Prophet herein preferres him before all parents, who use to be most mindfull of their children, thus, Can a woman forget her sucking childe, &c. yea, they may 〈◊〉〈◊〉, yet will I not forget thee, Isai. 49. 15. On this ground doth the Psalmist with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 emphasis expostulate this case, Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shut up his tender mercy? Psal. 77. 9. These interrogations are strong negatio•…•…: they imply that God neither doth, nor will, nor can forget. To assure us the 〈◊〉〈◊〉

•…•…of, the Holy Ghost mentioneth certain Books or Roles. of remembrance 〈◊〉〈◊〉 before God, wherein the righteous deeds of his servants are recorded. How this righteousness of God is a prop to mans faith, was shewed, §. 6•…•….

• 1. This is a great inducement to labour after such things as God approveth. If* 1.3 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God like such a thing, he will never forget it; we may rest upon it, that what G•…•… hath in everlasting remembrance shall be abundantly recompenced. If a sub∣•…•… were sure that his Prince would never forget what he doth for his sake, what •…•…ld he not readily do? This is it, that Saints have in all ages trusted to, and ac∣cordingly desired: namely, that God would remember them, Nehem. 5. 19. and 13. 14. Psal. 106. 4. Isai. 38. 3. For well they knew that upon Gods remembrance, they •…•…ght confidently expect an abundant recompence.
• 2. This may be an incouragement against mans ingratefull forgetfulness. Many are* 1.4 •…•…dy to forget all manner of kindness and goodness done to them, as Pharaohs But∣•…•…, Gen. 40. 23. Hereby it comes to pass, that many repent of the good they have done, and wax weary in doing more. But is such would raise their eyes from man to God, and duly consider this evidence of his righteousness, certainly they would not, I am sure they need not, repent of any good thing they have done: for he that can most abundantly, and will most assuredly recompence every good thing, nor can, nor will forget any. He is not unrighteous to forget them.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Of this com pound verb see Chap. 13. vers. •…•…. Sect. 12.
• * 1.2

  God ever re∣membreth mens good deeds.
• * 1.3

  Labour for the things which God will not for∣get.
• * 1.4

  Gods remem∣bring encou∣rageth against mans forget∣ting.