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 ...

§. 126. Of being Companions with such as suffer for the Gospel.

THis other distributive particle, a 1.1 partly, sheweth how these Hebrews came to have such courage, as to be made a gazing stock for their profession sake: namely that company which they kept with others that were so dealt withall. b 1.2 The word translated companions, is sometimes used in the abstract, & translated Fellowship, 1 Cor. 10. 20. It properly signifieth, as here translated companion, one that hath a common share in such and such a case: and is translated partaker, Math. 23. 30. 2 Cor. 1. 7. and partner, Luke 5. 10. As to be made a gazing stock was one part and evidence of their enduring a great fight of afflictions; So their keeping company with other afflicted ones, was another part and evidence. This latter was a Christian duty as well as the former, and this a matter of commendation as wll as the former: Yea this also a matter of comfort and glory as well as the former. Moses chose to suffer afflictions with the people of God, Heb. 11. 25. It was Baruchs praise to accompany Ieremie in the prison, Ier. 32. 12. And Onesiphorus who sought out Paul very diligently, and found him when he was in his troubles, and that to refresh him, 2 Tim. 1. 16. 17. Yea Christ the great Judge promiseth to his Disciples, who followed him all the time of his publike Ministery, wherein he was much persecu∣ted, to sit with him on so many thrones. Matth. 19. 28.

To be a companion with such as suffer for Christ, is an evidence of great zeal to Gods Glory; Of love to the truth; of undauntednesse and courage in suffering;

of love to Saints, and of readinesse to succour such as suffer for the Gospel.

• 1. This is a just taxation of their fear and shame, who when they see their friends questioned, or any way persecuted for their holy profession, withdraw themselves, and will not be seen in their company: but rather, if they be suspected to be of thei•…•… kindred, neighbour-hood, friends, companions, or any way associated with them, d•…•…ny it, as Peter did, Matth. 26. 70. and Iohn mark, Acts 15. 38. and as Demas, so sundry other professors, 2 Tim. 4. 10, 16. Fearfull is the doom that is denounced a∣gainst such, Marke 8. 38
• 2. This much maketh to presse that poynt that was noted, §. 79. about not for∣saking the assembling of our selves together; especially when others are questioned: but we having other friends and means are suffered to live free and quiet from trou∣ble: Then are we called to shew forth our Christian Faith, and courage by associa∣ting our selves with them. Then will triall be made of the truth of that grace that is in us. Then as a companion we ought to speak for them, as Ionathan did for David, 1 Sam. 19. 4. To succor them, as Obediah did the Prophets of the Lord, 1 King. 18. 13. And to visit them, as our Lord Christ doth commend those who vi∣sited such as were sick, imprisoned, and otherwise restrained, Matth. 25. 39.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 see §. 123.
• b 1.2

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