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 ...

§. 144. Of Believers discerning betwixt things that differ.

MOses, preferring one thing before another, namely Christ, though accom∣panied with reproach, before all earthly pleasures, giveth proof, that be∣lievers well discern betwixt things that differ. Thus Abraham discerned the dif∣ference betwixt following Gods call, and abiding in his own Country, Ge•…•…. 12. 1. So Ioseph discerned the difference betwixt that which God required, and his Mistress. This might be exemplified in many others, as Psal. 84. 10. Dan. 3. 17, 18. Luk 10. 42. Acts 4. 19.

The proper object of faith is Gods Word: the true believer maketh that his Counseller, his Judge, his Guide, his Instructor; it is to him all in all. Now Gods Word layeth down the true difference betwixt things: nothing else so tru∣ly. Well therefore is it called the Word of Truth, Iam. 1. 18. This word hath also a vertue in it, to enlighten the eyes of those that exercise themselves therein, Psal. 119. 105.* 1.1

By this we may discern the reason of the different opinions of Believers and Worldlings. They judge by faith: these by sense. They discern all things as

they are cleared up unto them by the light of Gods word: but these behold all things thorough the coloured glass of corrupt reason; yea, which is worse, of car∣•…•… sense. No marvell therefore, that their opinions are so contrary as they are: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 highly esteeming what the other basely accounteth of. Thus they wonder 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at another, but let the world judge as it list.

Let us lab•…•…ur for Faith, and that rightly grounded on Gods Word, that by i•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 may understand and choo•…•…e the things that are indeed most excellent.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Why believers and others of contrary opi∣nions.