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 ...

§. 246. Of suffering willingly.

THE amplification of believers enduring the foresaid torment is set out two wayes.

• 1. By the man•…•…er of their suffering, not accepting deliverance.
• 2. By the end which they aimed at, a better resurrection.

Of the Greek word translated, accepting, See Chap. 10. v. 34. §. 129. Of the other word translated deliverance, See Chap. 9. v. 13. §. 89.

This phrase of not accepting deliverance, hath reference to their persecutors, of∣fering them freedom from those torments, in case they would renounce their profes∣sion (Macc. 6. 21. &c. and 7. 24. &c. which offer on such condition they would not accept: so as this phrase, they accepted not, is not simply to be taken, but relatively to such terms as thy could no way approve. This deliverance in this place is taken for setting one free from torment intended.

The whole phrase in general implyeth, that true Professors willingly endure 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for their professions sake: they are not as Bears hailed to the stake: and brought per force, to endure the baiting, biting, and tearing of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dogs: •…•…ut willingly yield. In another kind of suffering, it is said of Moses, that he re∣•…•… honours, and chose to suffer affliction, v. 24, 25. §. 136, 137. It is in this respect said of Aquila, and Priscilla, that they layd down their necks. Rom. 16. 4. which implyeth a voluntary yielding to suffer: so doth this phrase, I am rea∣•…•… to dy for the Name of the Lord Iesus. Acts 21. 13.

They discern much good and great advantage, to accrew by their sufferings, and that.

• 1. To God, whose glory in having such servants, is set out. 1 Pet. 4. 14.
• 2. To the Truth, which is maintained and ratified thereby. Phil. 1. 17.
• 3. To other Professors who are encouraged, and emboldned thereby, Phil. 1. 14.
• 4. To succeeding ages, whose ground of Faith, being by their Predecessors left sealed unto them, they are made more confident in standing to it. Hence arose this Christian Proverb, The blood of Martyrs is the seed of the Church.
• 5. In reference to enemies, who cannot be but much daun•…•…ed, and disappoin∣ted hereby.
• 6. To themselves, whose present joy and comfort is the more abundant. 2 Cor. 1. 5. and whose recompence shall be great, Matth, 5. 12.

This is a worthy pattern for us, to set before us when we are called to suffer for the Name of Christ, by yielding thereto willingly and cheerfully we make a ver∣•…•… of necessity: and we make that which we endure more acceptable to God. For God, who loveth a cheerfull giver, 2 Cor. 9, 7.) doth much more love a cheerfull sufferer. All the sacrifices that we offer unto God, must be freewill of∣ferings: much more this oblation of our selves.* 1.1

Quest. Ought professors to offer themselves to martyrdom?

Answ. In this case we must distinguish betwixt the ordinary course wherein all ought to walk, and extraordinary occasions. In an ordinary course Professors are not bound to offer themselves. There is no precept, nor approved pattern in Gods Word to enforce this. The liberty that is granted for escaping, when a fair way is opened by the divine providence, maketh against this conceit. Matth. 10. 23. Yea, if persecutors do freely let them go, they may go and escape: so did the Apostles, Acts 4. 21, 23. But if God do give to any such a Spirit as openly to make known himself, and so to offer himself to any persecution, we are to ac∣count it a speciall motion, and not over-rashly to censure them. Verianus and Marcellianus in the time of Decius the Emperour, seeing Secundianus led to Martyrdom, cryed out, that they also were Christians, and thereupon were ap∣prehended and cruelly tortured to death. So many others. Polycarpus being sought after, might have escaped, but would not: saying as Paul did (Acts 21. 14.) the will of the Lord be done. Apollonia leaped into the fire while they were moving her to recant. God hath in all ages been pleased to put more than an ordinary spirit into many of his servants.

Notes

• * 1.1

  How may any offer them∣selves to Mar∣tyrdom.