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 ...

§. 111. Of Christians knowledge of God and of his word.

Heb. 10. 30.

Vers. 30.

For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recom∣pence, saith the Lord: and againe, The Lord shall judge his people.

THe first particle, as in our English it is set down, being a a 1.1 causall conjunction sheweth that this verse is added as a reason of that which went before. Now the last thing noted in the former verse is sure and severe vengeance upon Apostates. The proofe here alledged to confirme the same is taken from a divine testimony. It is generally hinted in this phrase, we know him that hath said, then the particular te∣stimony is alledged thus, Vengeance belongeth unto me, &c.

The substance of the Apostles argument may thus be framed, He to whom venge∣ance belongeth will surely and sorely revenge them that revolt from him.

But to God vengeance belongeth.

Therefore God will surely and sorely revenge those that revolt from him.

This phrase, b 1.2 we know, hath reference both to God himself, of whom the testi∣mony is given, and allso to that particular scripture where this testimony was first set down.

In the former respect it declareth that God in his dealing with men is well known.* 1.3 We know him that hath said The Lord is known by the Iudgement which he execute•…•…, Psal. •…•…. 16. He left not himself without witnesse, in that he did good, &c. Acts 14. 17.

Object. He dwelleth in the light, which no man can approach unto, 1 Tim. 6. 16. His wayes are past finding out, Rom. 3. 33.

Answ. He is indeed thus in himself, and in the depth of his Counsels. But by sundry effects he hath made himself known. Some of them are so clear, and evident beams of his divine properties, as they shew they are works of God, Rom. 1. 20. Others do carry such light from the Spirit of God, as makes men believe whose works they are, Exod. 8. 19. and 10. 7. and 12. 30. 1 Sam. 5. 11.

In this respect they shew their blindnesse to be wilfull, who know not him who

executeth vengeance: but imagine, that judgement falleth out upon sinners by chance; as the Philistines did, 1 Sam. 6. 9. Thus God was robbed of much honour: So as it is not want of light, but a winking against that light, which God is plea∣sed to shew forth of himself, that makes them ignorant of God. In such cases, the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not, &c. 2 Cor. 4. 4.

It becommeth us to take such notice of the evidences which God giveth of him∣self, as on all occasions, we may say, We know him that hath said, or don this or that, Thus fear and faith will be wrought in us toward him, Exod. 14. 31. Otherwise, though God may say, What could have been do•…•… more to my vinyard that I have not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in it? yet they consider not the operation of his hand, Isa. 5. 4, 12.

In the other respect, as this act of the mind we know, hath reference to the te∣stimony it self in this phrase, him that hath said, it implyeth such understanding, of the Scripture, as they which hear a sentence thereof know where it is written, and by whom it was first uttered, though neither verse, nor chapter, nor book was named. Hereof see more Chap. 2. v. 6. §. 50, 52.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• b 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.3

  God is known in his dea∣lings.