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 ...

§. 183. Of Rahab being an harlot: and of her prerogative.

THat woman who yielded forth such fruits of faith, is expresly said to be an Harlot: which brandeth her for an infam•…•…us woman.

Some question is made by the Iewish Rabbins, about the a 1.1 Hebrew word, whe∣ther it should signify an Harlot, or an Hostess. They suppose it a matter impro∣bable* 1.2 and dishonourable for Israelites, comming among Gentiles, to enter into the house of an harlot: not considering how Gods glory was much more magni∣fied by her conversion; for,

• 1. By a secret providence, and divine instinct, was this thus ordered.
• ...

  2. She is called an Harlot; not in reference to her present, but to her former past condition. As Matthew the Publican; Matth. 10. 3.

  This may be explained by an infamous title given to a woman; but in refe∣rence to the time past, which is thus expressed, a woman which was a 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Luk. 7. 37. For God had purified her heart by faith. Acts 15. 9.

• 3. They went not to her house, because it was a publick Stewes; but because it was a remote, and secret place: for it was upon the Town-wall. Iosh. 2. 15.

For the point in hand, there are b 1.3 two roots from whence the Hebrew word may be derived: which expresly signify to play the Harlot: or to com•…•…it •…•…∣cation.

There is also an other c 1.4 Hebrew word which signifieth meat: whence they would derive d 1.5 the word attributed to this woman: and expound it, Hostess, or▪ Victualer, that selleth meat: but they cannot give any express instance thereof. They produce some places where this word is used: but if the sence of place be well observed, it will appear, that in all those places the word may he more fitly translated Harlot, then Hostess: as Iudg. 11. 1. 1 Kings 3. 16. Ioel 3. 3.

This word in Hebrew is in other places put for an Harlot, by their own con∣fession: nor can it be taken, for an Hostess or Victualer; as Gen. 34. 31. Lev. 21. 7.* 1.6 Ez•…•…k. 16. 41. Prov. 23. 27. Besides, the LXX. who well understood the mea∣ning of the Hebrew words, ever translate it with e 1.7 a word that properly signi∣fieth an Harlot. And two Apostles expound it so; namely this Apostle here, and Iames •…•…. 25.

Surely this much tendeth to the magnifying of God's Almighty power, free 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and rich mercy, that an Harlot should attain to such Faith, and be made 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of such favour and honour as she was: as

• 1. To profit by Gods works so far beyond all her Country, as she did.* 1.8
• 2. To be an Hostess to the people of God.
• 3. To be a means of preserving, not herself only, but all hers, from a common destruction.
• 4. To be admitted, though a Gentill, into the Commonwealth of Israel.
• 5. To be incorporated into the true Church of God.
• 6. To be married to a prime Prince in Israel: which was Salmon.
• 7. To be one of those Progenitors from whom the promised Messiah by li∣•…•… descent should come. Matth. 1. 5.
• 8. To be called out by an Apostle, and by name to be put into the Catalogue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gods Worthies.
• 9. To be produced by another Apostle, as a prime pattern of manifesting her 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by works. Iam. 2. 25.
• 10. To be an heir of eternal life; as all Christs progenitors, from whom in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 line he descended, are supposed to be: and as all true believers are.

These shew how forward God is to honour penitent sinners. And how much 〈◊〉〈◊〉 such may receive from him. The names of such as are registred in sacred Scripture give further evidence hereof: Ruth, Naaman, Matthew, Zaccheus, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that washed Christs feet with her tears, Paul, and others, Matth. •…•…1. 32.

Gods high account of such is manifested many wayes.* 1.9

• 1. By sending his Son to call such. Matth. 9. 13. yea, to seek, and to save •…•…hem.
• 2. By affording his Gospel, and Ministers to preach it unto them. Acts •…•…6. 17, 18.
• 3. By Christs patient waiting upon them. Rev. 3. 20.
• 4. By Gods readiness to receive sinners when they are coming to him, even a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 off. Luk. 15. 20. Psal. 32. 5.
• 5. By that joy which Ang•…•…lls express upon the conversion of sinners, Luk. 1•…•…. 10.
• 6. By that glory and praise which the Church giveth for such. Gal. 1. 22, 23. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 11. 18.
• 7. By that recompence which God confers upon them. This consisteth of sun∣•…•… branches, as
  • 1. A free discharge of their whole debt, and full remission of all their sins. Luk. 18. 13, 14.
  • 2. His sanctifying, comforting and supporting spirit in an abundant measure. 1 Cor. 15. 10.
  • 3. External honours: instance, Rahab, Ruth, and the Prodigal. Luk. 15. 23.
  • 4. External life: and it may be a great degree of glory in heaven; for if notorious sinners after their conversion remain faithfull, and give forth fruits meet for repentance, their former wicked course shall not be re∣membred to impaire their heavenly glory. Ezek. 18. 21. Yea, many such converts are, by a consideration of their former wickedness, stirred up, to labour in Gods work more abundantly than others. 1 Cor. 15. 10.

• 1. This giveth a cleer demonstration of the free grace and rich mercy of our God; for sin to God is more than any Rebellion or •…•…igh Treason against the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Monarch on earth.
• 2. It giveth also a demonstration of the Equity and Justice of God upon im∣penitent sinners. Eze•…•…. 18. 27, &c. We may from hence infer, that the destruction of every impenitent si•…•…ner is of himself. Hos. 13. 9.
• 3. This mercy of God to Rahab should stir up others to do as Rahab did. Though all Iericho stood out, yet would not she; she had heard and she believed,

• that there was no standing out against God; She therefore comes in; she seeks mercy and finds mercy: goe and do thou likewise. Luk. 10. 37.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

  Whether the Hebrew word signify Hostess or Harlot.
• b 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 •…•…ornicatus est.
• c 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• d 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.6

  Of the LXX. see chap. 1. v. 6. §. 1•…•….
• e 1.7

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.8

  Rahabs prero∣gatives.
• * 1.9

  Gods high ac∣count of peni∣tents.