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 ...

§. 38. Of Gods like respect to the Church of the Gentiles as to the antient Iewes.

THe conjunction of these two houses Israel & Iudah, further giveth evidence, that Christians of what nation soever, are as pretious to God, as the Jewes were be∣fore their rejection: for Gentiles are comprised under Israel and Iudah. In this respect believing Gentiles are called the children and seed of Abraham. (Gal. 3. 7, 29.) and sons of Zion (Zechary 9. 13.) and the Church of the Gentiles, is stiled Hierusa∣lem (Rev. 3. 12.) and Sion (Zech. 9. 9.) and Ministers of the Gospell are stiled Priests and Levites (Isa. 66. 21.) This is further evident by the application of prerogatives, of old belonging to the Jewes, to believing Christians. For proof hereof com∣pare, 1 Pet. 2. 9. with Deut. 7. 6. and Exod. 19. 5.

The same reason that moved God to choose them at that time, moveth him to

choose us Gentiles in these latter dayes to be his Church; namely, his own good plea∣sure and love. This reason for them is rendred, Deut. 4. 37. and 7. 7, 8. and E∣zek. 16. 6, 7. And for the Gentiles it is rendred, Eph. 2. 4. and Tit. 3. 4.

Learn hereby in reading the old Testament, to observe the many great promises made to the Jewes, and the accomplishment of them: and withall the great works which God did for them: and the many deliverances, which from time to time he gave them: and make these grounds of thy faith: and as occasion serveth plead them before God. Apply all the evidences of Gods love, manifested to the Jewes, apply them to your selves, you believing Gentiles. The promise which God made to Abraham, the Apostle teacheth us to apply to our selves, Rom. 4. 23, 24. What soever things were written afore time, were written for our learning, &c. Rom. 15. 4. When enemies arise against us, let us call to mind the prayers and supplications which the faithfull Jewes made: and how they put God in mind of his covenant, and of his promises, and of his ancient love. Let us do so likewise▪ and with like steadfastnesse of faith expect a blessing from him. We have such grounds of faith as they had.

This also may be applyed to such judgements as God inflicted on them, to move us to take heed of those sins for which these judgements were inflicted. The Apo∣stle setteth down a particular Catalogue of these, and thus concludeth, All these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, 1 Cor. 10. 6. &c.