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 ...

§. 253. Of using Professors as malefactors.

THE fourth kind of persecution of Professors was by bonds. The a 1.1 Greek* 1.2 word is here fitly translated bends. For it is derived from a b 1.3 verb that sig∣nifieth to bind. The bonds here meant are cords, and iron chaines, and setters, and manicles, where with they held men fast, and kept them from running away, or any other way espcaing. Of the many wayes of keeping men fast, and restrai∣ning them from liberty, See Chap. 13. v. 3. §. 25.

The fift kind of persecution is like unto this, which is said to be c 1.4 imprison∣ment.* 1.5 For men are cast into prison to be kept fast, that they should not flee a∣way. The d 1.6 verbe that is of the same root signifieth to keep, and he that hath the charge of a prison, is called a e 1.7 keeper: yea there is a f 1.8 verb of the same notation which signifieth to cast into prison.

Because a prison is to hold men fast, prisons use to be as Castles, strong built, of stone, or other like materials: with strong dores, iron barrs, and grates; and Jaylors to look unto them.

Bonds and prisons are for murtherers, theeves, and other malefactors. Now* 1.9 in that professors of the true Faith, had triall by bonds and imprisonment, it gi∣veth evidence, that Persecutors deal with Professors of the Truth, as with male∣factors. Hereof see more in the Whole Armor of God, Treat. 3. part 7. on Eph. 6. 20. §. 189.

• 1. This may be some comfort to such as are so handled in these our dayes. It is no worse with them, than it was with their Lord and Master in his dayes, and with other his faithfull Servants in their dayes. So persecuted they the Prophets, which were before you. Matth. 5. 12. and so the Apostles, and so other Saints age after age.
• 2. By way of allusion, professors of the Truth may learn to keep their souls free from the bonds of sin; then need they not much care for mens bonds: at least they shall then more comfortably lye bound with mens bonds: and if they have learn'd to make every place a Temple to worship God therein, even in prison

• they may worship God. The more they are restrained in their bodies, the more they may exercise their Souls in divine Meditations and contemplations.
• 3. Considering true Saints are subject to bonds and imprisonments, and there∣by kept from seeking needfull and seasonable succour, it is our duty to enquire after such, and to afford them all the succour we can. Hereof see more Chap. 13. 1. 3. §. 24, 26.

The manner of setting down the four kinds of persecution mentioned in this* 1.10 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thus, had triall, giveth us to understand, that the persecutions of Professors were reall, they had experience of them, they had a sence and feeling of them, and in that respect had tryall. See §. 251.

If racking, if scourging, if bonds and imprisonments be reall persecutions, then were theirs reall.

Such was the malice of Persecutors, as they set themselves to make Professors to seel the weight of their malice.

This sheweth the necessity of true sound patience, yea, and of the perfect work thereof, that it be not only true and sound, but also large, extending it self to all manner of persecutions, yea, and constant holding out to the end. Hereof see more in the Whole Armor of God, on Eph. 6. 15. Treat. 2. part. 5. §. 14, 15, 16. &c.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

  Bonds.
• b 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, ligo.
• c 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.5

  Imprisonmet.
• d 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Custodio.
• e 1.7

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Custos.
• f 1.8

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. In carcerem tra•…•…o.
• * 1.9

  Who impriso∣ned.
• * 1.10

  Martyrs had trialls of per∣secution.