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 ...

§. 125. Of hiding such as are in danger.

THE act whereby the faith of Moses Parents is commended, is implyed in this phrase, a 1.1 was hid.

The word, hid, is attributed to concealing of matters from the eyes of men; so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they should not see them, or find them out.

The hid treasure and pearl, in the Gospel is set forth by this word, Matth. 1•…•…. 44. And the sloathfull servants talent that was put into the earth, Matth. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 25. Thus Iesus is said to hide himself from the Jews, Iohn 8. 59. and 12. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. And they who are afraid of the Judge, are said to hide themselves, Rev. 6. 1•…•…, 16.

The reason why Moses parents hid him, was a cruell edict of the King of Egypt,* 1.2 〈◊〉〈◊〉 every son that was born of an Israelite, should be cast into the river, Exod. 1. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. To prevent this destruction of Moses, his parents hid him. So as persons 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 may be concealed from mischievous attempts. Thus Rebekah used 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to conceal Iacob from the fury of his brother, Gen. 27. 43. Thus Rahab 〈◊〉〈◊〉 spyes, Iosh. 2. 4. And a woman hid Ionathan and Ahimaas, 2 Sam. 2. 1•…•… To omit other instances, it is said of God himself, that he hid Ieremiah and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Jer. 36. 26.

Ob•…•…. These were extraordinary cases, and they that did it, were guided by an* 1.3 extraordinary spirit.

Ans.

• 1. They were speciall cases, not extraordinary. All examples are a kind 〈◊〉〈◊〉 instances; Yet in a like case are for our warrant.
• 2. Though in some particulars they might be extraordinary, and might be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by an extraordinary spirit; yet the general equity of them is ordinary, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Hereupon Rahab's example is set before us as a pattern, ver. 31. Iam. 1. 1•…•….

The Spies that searched Iericho were imployed in a good cause, warranted by 〈◊〉〈◊〉, whereof Rahab was assured, partly by the common fame that God had de∣•…•… all Canaan to destruction; and partly by an inward inspiration of the Spi∣•…•… this respect, her act is imitable. It was extraordinary to hide Spies that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to search her Country; This she did by an extraordinary spirit: But to hide 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as were in Gods work, and in a warranted course, was ordinary and imitable.

• 1. To hide one self from foreseen evill, is a point of prudence, Prov. 22. 3.* 1.4 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to be extended to others.
• 2. It is a fruit of charity, to prevent the danger of others.
• 3. Many benefits may thence arise, as,
  • 1. Protecting the innocent.
  • 2. Preventing wrongs.
  • 3. Disapointing Satans instruments.
  • 4. Preserving such as may be usefull to men, and honourable to God. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hurt comes to none hereby.

1. Quest. What if such as are hid be enquired after by authority, may they* 1.5 then be concealed?

Answ. If it may be done without impeachment of truth. Otherwise, I make question of this question. For,

• 1. All lying is a sin, Eph. 4. 25.
• 2. Though good may come thereby to man, yet it is against God and his* 1.6 truth.
• 3. It impeacheth the power and prudence of God, as if he could not main∣tain his own servants without untruth.
• 4. It prevents the providence of God, in his own course.
• 5. We may not talk deceitfully for God, Job 13. 7.

2. Quest. What if a good end follow upon some untruth?* 1.7

Answ. A good end is not sufficient to justifie a matter. If a thing be ill in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or manner, or end, it is not to be done.

Obj. A bad end marrs a good thing: by consequence of contraries, a good end

may justifie an evill act.

Answ. That is no good consequence. For there is difference betwixt good and evill. One circumstance maketh a thing evill; but all circumstances must con∣cur to make it good. One kind of poyson is enough to take away life; but there must be many ingredients to make a portion for preserving life.

3. Quest. What then is to be done, when Innocents and Saints are unjustly sought after?

Answ. We must be silent, and say nothing one way or other; or couragiously refuse to betray him; or so prudently order our answer, as nor the partie be en∣dangered, nor truth impeached.

The application of this point concerneth such especially as live among those, who like Pharaoh and the Egyptians, are persecuters of the Church, opp•…•…essors of men, inhuman and cruell. It doth not justifie concealers of malefactors. Chri∣stians must take heed of making such inferences from such approved paterns, as this is.

Thereby they pervert the Word of God, scandalize the profession of the Gos∣pell, open the mouths of enemies, bring themselves under the penalty of good Laws, and suffer as malefactors, which is expresly forbidden, 1 Pet. 4. 15.

On the other side, their undue timiditie, and overmuch fear of danger is mani∣fested,* 1.8 who are ready upon undue respects to bring others into danger: as

• 1. They who Doeg-like, discover Gods servants to their enemies, 1 Sam. 2. 29. and this in hatred of, and malice against them.
• 2. They who discover such, to currie favour with great men, as the Ziphims, 2 Sam. 23. 19.
• 3. They who for feare of incurring danger themselves, refuse to stand to Gods cause, when they are questioned about it, as the parents of the man that was born blind, Iohn 19. 22.
• 4. They that denie that succour which they might and ought to their bre∣thren for fear of men.

Those and such like shew how little faith they have.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

  Why Moses Parents hid him.
• * 1.3

  How extraor∣dinary pat∣t•…•…rns, are imi∣table.
• * 1.4

  Why men to be hid from danger.
• * 1.5

  How men may be con∣cealed.
• * 1.6

  Nothing a∣gaist Truth.
• * 1.7

  A good end justifieth not an ill act.
• * 1.8

  A sin to be∣tray the inno∣cent.