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 ...

§. 71. Of seeking what we desire.

UPon that mean condition wherein the Patriarchs were on earth, it is said that they seek a Country. The word translated a 1.1 seek, is a compound. Of the emphasis thereof, see Chap. 13. v. 14. §. 139. It implyeth an earnest seeking, and that with desire to obtain what they seek for. It is attributed to Herod's seeking after Peter (when he had escaped out of his clutches) Act. 12. 19. It setteth out a Believers earnest seeking after that which he desireth. Such was his seeking, who said, One thing have I desired of the Lord, that I will seek after, Ps. 27. 4. And again, With my whole heart have I sought thee, Ps. 119. 10.

• 1. Faith, as it works assurance of attaining that which it desires, so a per∣swasion also of the course that it taketh, and means which it useth for that end. And this puts life in seeking after it.
• 2. Faith hath an holy heat in it, and it adds fervour to other graces. This makes Believers the more earnest in seeking till they find.

Surely they deceive themselves who pretend faith, yet are secure and careless in seeking out that which they pretend to believe. Herein lyeth a main difference betwixt the true Believer, and him who onely is enlightned in the benefit of that which is to be believed. They may desire that which is good for themselves, but they seek it not aright; as Balaam, who desired to dye the death of the right co•…•…, Numb. 23. 10.

For our better direction in that kind of seeking, I will distinctly set down both the aberrations in seeking, and also directions for so seeking, as we may obtain. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, saith an Apostle, Iam. 4. 3.

Men use to seek amiss in the means, in the matter, and in the time.* 1.2

• 1. They fail in the means, who use either no means, or indirect means. They use no means who rest upon a bare hope, and a vain wish, as Balaam, Numb. 23. 10. Or so rest upon supposed predestination, as they enquire not after the way to salvation. They rest in false means, who use any other means than such as are prescribed in Gods Word. As ignorant persons, who think it enough to have a good meaning; and superstitious persons, who rest upon outward per∣formances; and Idolaters, who trust to means of their own, of other mens in∣ventions.
• ...

• 2. They fail in the manner, who seek feignedly, or carelesly. They seek feignedly, who either outwardly seem to seek heaven, but inwardly have their hearts set upon this world: namely the profits and glory thereof. All hypocrites seek feignedly. As a painted man is no man, so an hypocritical seeking is no seek∣king. They seek carelesly, who are slothfull in seeking, who do the work of the Lord negligently, Jer. 48. 10. and such as are negligent in hearing, and cold in prayer. As good not at all, as so loosly.
• 3. They fail in the time, who seek not soon enough, or long enough. They seek not soon enough, who neglect the present opportunity. See Chap. 3. v. 7. §. 76. They seek not long enough, who wax weary, and leave off before they find what they seek. See Chap. 10. v. 38. §. 148.

Most that miss of finding, fail in one of these aberrations of seeking.* 1.3

Directions for right seeking are such as these.

• 1. In general, that we set our selves to do something: though our doing be no matter of merit; yet it may be a means of obtaining our desire.
• 2. Enquire after the right means. These are, in the case that we have in hand about a country, principal and subordinate. The principal means is Christ himself, Iohn 14. 6. Subordinate means are the word and Sacraments, and other divine Ordinances. In these is Christ to be found.
• 3. Seek sincerely. With my whole heart have I sought thee, saith he who •…•…ound the Lord. Psal. 119. 10. Whatsoever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord, Col. 3. 23.
• 4. Seek with all diligence, 2 Pet. 1. 10. Matth. 6. 33. See Chap. 4. v. 11. §. 64.
• 5. Lay hold of the first opportunity. See Chap. 3. v. 7. §. 76.
• 6. Persevere in seeking till thou obtain. See Chap. 3. v. 6. §. 68.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

  Who seek amiss.
• * 1.3

  How seek aright.