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 ...

§. 264. Of evill entreating Confessors.

A Fourth aggravation of the wandring of Confessors, is in the last word of this verse, which we thus translate, a 1.1 tormented. It is a compound, of a noun that signifieth b 1.2 evill, and a verb that in the active signifieth to have, and in the passive to be handled. According to the notation of it, it signifieth be ill handled, or evilly dealt withall. See more of it on Chap. 13. v. 3. §. 28. The signification which our Translators give of it, thus, tormented, is an effect of the intent of the word. For they that are ill intreated, or ill handled, are oft tormen∣ted. In this sence it may intend such points as were noted on this word, tortu∣red, v. 35. §. 245.

We will here handle this word in the proper signification thereof, and shew,* 1.3 that Saints in their wandring find ill usage. So soon as Israel came into the Wil∣derness, the Amalakites set upon them. Deut. 25. 17, 18. 1 Sam. 15. 2. Edom in the day of Israels affliction ill entreated them. Obad. v. 13, 14. Amos 1. 11. Ieremy much complaineth hereof. Lam. 2. 16. The Apostles, wheresoever they came, were very ill entreated.

There is but one naked, single simple truth: but impiety, iniquity, falshood, error,* 1.4 here•…•…y, idolatry and all infidelity, are Hydraes of innumerable heads. That one truth is light: All the forenamed Hydraes, and other like unto them, are darkness of several kinds: to all which light is contrary. Therefore all that are of any kind of darkness do mortally hate and abominate, both the light it self and all that hold it out: which Confessors of the Truth doe wheresoever they goe. Now there being in every place some kind of darkness or other, how can it be, but that Confessors should be every where ill entreated.

Besides, Sathan is the God of this world, and his dominion extendeth to eve∣ry* 1.5 part thereof. He hath every where subjects that are guided by his spirit. But in Confessors there is the Spirit of Christ, which the spirit of Sathan hath from the beginning resisted. Gen. 3. 15. How then can such look for any other than ill handling, wheresoever they are.

• 1. This should teach Confessors, not to be over forward in removing from place to place, upon surmise, that they may in this or that place be quiet from troubles. I will not deny, but that in some places they may be more free than in others: but to be wholly free, they cannot be in any place of this world.
• 2. This instructeth them, that are forced to wander, in sundry duties.* 1.6
  • 1. To prepare themselves for evill entreatings, whithersoever they come.
  • 2. Not to think it strange, when they meet with them.
  • 3. To beare them patiently.
  • 4. To get assurance of God's favour.
• 3. This should stir up those, that professing the true Faith, meet with Confes∣sors* 1.7 that wander, to shew them all the courtesy they can, and thereby declare, that the Spirit of God, is as powerfull in them to shew kindness to others that have the same Spirit, as the spirit of Sathan can be to do any mischief unto them.

Of entertaining strangers. See Chap. 13. v. 2. §. 15, &c. See also Chap. 13. ver. 3. §. 28.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• b 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, habeo 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.3

  Confessors evill intrea∣ted.
• * 1.4

  •…•…nica veritas.
• * 1.5

  Be not for∣ward to go from place to place.
• * 1.6

  Duties of wan∣•…•….
• * 1.7

  Shew kindness to Wanderers.