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 ...

§. 119. Of Christians sufferings upon their first profession.

OF this word, a illuminated, see Chap. 6. v. 4. §. 32. The greek Fathers set out under this word, those that having been catechized, and instructed in the Chri∣stian saith, attained to such measure of knowledge, as they were able to make a con∣fession of the Children faith▪ which when they had done, they were baptized, ad∣mitted as Members of the Church, and s•…•…led b enlightened ones. They did use the active verb from when•…•… this is 〈◊〉〈◊〉, c to baptize; and a noun derived from that verb, for d Baptisme. And the dayes appointed for Baptisme, they called e the dayes of lights. The word thus taken implyeth the beginning of their Chri∣stian profession.

But question may be made of this use of the word in the Apostles time, when this Epistle was written. I will not therefore too strictly presse it. The ordinary ac∣ception of the word, for knowledge and understanding of the mysteries of godliness, (as Eph. 1. 18.) and the manner of inferring it upon former dayes, evidently shew that the Apostle meaneth the time of their first conversion to the Christian saith, and of their profession thereof: so as both interpretations carry in effect the same sense and meaning.

1. This phrase, after ye were illuminated, or as it is in the Greek, word for word, f being illuminated, implieth, that they were brought to tryalls at their first con∣version, or profession of the Christian faith: as the Israelites anon after they came into the Wildernesse, and were separated for the Church of God from all the world, were set upon by the Amalekites, Exod. 17. 8. &c. Deut. 25. 18. Thus the primi∣tive Christian Church, even in the Apostles dayes, was much persecuted, Act. 4. 25. &c.

This is a main thing intended by the Dragons watching the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devoure her Child as soon as it was born, Rev. 12. 4. This might be exemplified by the persecutions that have been raised time after time, against professors of the Christian Religion, either in new planting Churches, or in re∣forming Religion, where it hath been corrupted.

• 1. God suffers this, to shew what strength he can put into his, so soon as he calls them unto himself.
• 2. Satan hath a malicious end; for he seeks hereby to crush the bird in the shell, and to prevent the increase of spiritual strength. Thus did he boldly set upon Christ, so soon as He was baptized, and set apart to his publick Ministry, Mat. 4. 2.

All therefore that set themselves to run the Christian race, must observe Christs advice, namely, to sit down first, and consider whether he have sufficient to finish his course. Luk. 14. 28.

Notes

• a

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Illuminat•…•….
• c

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

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

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉