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 ...

§. 70. Of professing ones condition.

Heb. 11. 14.

For they that say such things, declare plainly that they seek a Country.

THis causal, a 1.1 FOR, giveth evidence, that this verse is a reason of that which went before. The most proper reference that it can have, is, to the last clause of the former verse. For this phrase, They that say such things, is a general expression of the confession of the Patriarchs, that they were Strangers 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Pilgrims on earth. The Argument may be thus framed:

They who profess that they are Strangers and Pilgrims on earth, declare plainly that they seek a Country:

But the Patriarchs say such things:

Therefore they declare plainly, that they seek a Country.

This particle, b 1.2 saying, or, they that say, intendeth both the truth of the thing, and also the truth of their heart. As they are indeed Strangers, and Pil∣grims, so in their minds they know it, and in the sincerity of their heart they acknowledge it.

This phrase, c 1.3 declare plainly, is the interpretation of one Greek word. Of the notation of that word, see Chap. 9. v. 24. §. 124.

It signifieth so conspicuously and clearly to set out a thing, as others may plainly discern it: so as no doubt can be made of it. Our English therefore, to manifest the Emphasis thereof, have added this word, plainly, declare plainly.

This word is used of those that came out of the Graves after Christs resur∣rection, Matth. 27. 53. It is there translated, appeared.

Here then it is manifested, that a true profession is an evident declaration of* 1.4 ones mind. I say, true, because so much is here intended, and because if a pro∣fession be not true, but dissembled, men are deceived thereby; and that is de∣clared which is not so. The Sechemites were deceived with the feigned profession of the Sons of Iacob, Gen. 34. 13. &c. and Abner and Amasa with the seigned profession of Ioab, 2 Sam. 3. 27. & 20. 9, 10.

Now that is a true profession which ariseth from the judgement well en∣lightned, and from the heart rightly affected. Thus, With the heart man believeth unto Righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto Salvation, Rom. 10. 10. Thus saith the Psalmist, as he was a type of Christ, Thy Law is within my heart, I have preached righteousness, Psal. 48. 9.

Thus in all ages have Saints by an open profession made declaration of their mind; as Iosh. 24. 15. Ruth 1. 16. and the People of God after their return from Captivity, Ezra 5. 11. and the Apostles in all their Epistles, Rom. 1. 1.

The heart is as a treasure: if it be a good heart, and a true heart, the mouth

will utter good and true things, Matth. 12. 35. Hereupon the Wise-man saith, that the heart of the wise teacheth his lips, Prov. 16. 23.

Contrary to this is the profession of many, whose heart thinketh one thing,* 1.5 and their tongue utters another. For,

• 1. Many are forward to promise what they intend not, as Saul, promised his elder Daughter to David, 1 Sam. 18. 17. and the Jews, who promised liberty to their servants, Ier. 34. 16.
• 2. Flatterers, who give to men more than their due, as they who said to He∣rod, It is the voyce of a God; and the Herodians, who professed that Christ taught the way of God in truth, Mat. 22. 16. which they did to entangle him.
• 3. Complementers, who to get repute to themselves, complain of others in∣justice, and profess that integrity in themselves which is not, as Absolom, 2 Sam. 15. 3, 4.
• 4. Hypocrites, who draw near God with their mouth, but remove their heart far from him, Isa. 29. 13.

All these, and other like them, pervert the end of speech, which is plainly to* 1.6 declare the intent of the heart. One man knoweth not the things of another, (1 Cor. 2. 11.) namely, such things as he inwardly conceiveth. By a mans own profession of them, they are made known to others. Though there be other means of making known a mans minds, as writing, and signs of sundry •…•…orts, yet the most usual and ready means is speech. And for this end especially is an articulate and distinct speech given unto man.

It becomes us therefore, who are informed in the mind of God, and in our own condition, plainly to declare to others as much, and that as occasion is of∣fered, for the glory of God, and good of others; and to be so faithfull and con∣stant* 1.7 therein, as it may be said of us, they declare plainly.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• c 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.4

  True professi∣on.
• * 1.5

  False professi∣on.
• * 1.6

  The end of speech.
• * 1.7

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.