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 ...

§. 127. Of acknowledging Kindnesse.

Heb. 10. 34.

For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoyling of your goods, knowing in your selves that ye have in Heaven a better and enduring substance.

Vers. 34. A Third branch of the exemplification of their former good begin∣ning, is their compassion of this Apostle himself in his bonds.

These two relatives me and my, do shew that that which he here speaks of had reference to himself.

The copulative a 1.1 and, or both, and the causal conjunction b 1.2 for, do shew that this depends on the former as a reason, and as such a reason as the former was: which may be thus more fully expressed, It is evident that ye were made a gazing stock, and became companions of other sufferers, in that ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoyling of your own goods.

The connexion of this verse with the former, by these two conjunctions, for, and, sheweth that many are the trials whereunto Christian professors are brought. Some on their own behalfe, others on the behalfe of others, See more hereof §. 123.

That for which these Hebrews are here commended in reference to their former course of life, is in one word compassion. The Apostle here sets it down in the verb thus c 1.3 ye had compassion.

Of the notation of that word, See Chap. 4. v. 15. §. 88. And of the extent of it to all of all sorts, See Chap. 5. v. 2. §. 9, 11.

The particular person on whom these Hebrews had compassion was the Apostle himself, who makes this grateful acknowledgement thereof: so as kindnesses, even* 1.4 done by men, are gratefully to be acknowledged. The King of Sodome acknow∣ledged Abrahams kindesse in rescuing him and his from their enemies, Gen. 14. 21. So did the Egyptians acknowledge Iosephs kindnesse in saving them alive, Gen. 47. 25. The like did Ionathan in acknowledging Davids kindnesse, 1 Sam. 19. 4, 5. To omit other instances, Christ himself as▪ the head of a mysticall body doth ac∣knowledge kindnesses done to the members of that body, Matth. 25. 30, &c.

• 1. This argueth a good spirit to be in men, which makes them take notice of the means and instruments which are used by the divine providence for their good.
• 2. This gratefull acknowledgement is so acceptable to them that do a kindnesse, as it makes them not to repent the kindnesse done, but as occasion is offered to do more and more kindnesse.
• 3. If kindnesses done by men be gratefully to be acknowledged, how much more kindnesses done by God: especially if we consider, how free they are, how great, how needfull, how usefull, and every way commodious unto us. The kindnesses of God do infinitely exceed all that man can do. Besides man is but Gods Minister,

• what good soever he doth unto us, is indeed done by God. Let therefore the kindnesses done by man quicken up our spirits unto all thankfulnesse to God.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.4

  Acknowledge kindnesse.