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 ...

§. 105. Of regeneration, and the causes thereof.

THe first particular, whereby that blessed society to which we are brought by the Gospel, is set out in this phrase, a 1.1 Church of the first-born.

The Greek word translated Church, commeth of a Greek b 1.2 verb which signifi∣eth to call, the c 1.3 compound whereof signifieth to call out; hence the word here translated Church, which signifieth a company called together; of their calling out∣ward and inward, and of the means of the one, and the other, Gods word and Spi∣rit, see Chap. 3. §. 13.

By the word men are called to profession of the true faith; which is the outward calling. Hereby visible particular Churches are constituted. By the Spirit true faith is wrought in them, whereby they are brought to yeeld from the heart true o∣bedience to the faith which they professe. These are they which constitute the fore∣mentioned general assembly, the true Catholick Church; and these are they, who are here intended under these words, First-born, whose names are written in heaven.

The title d 1.4 First-born is a compound word, of a verb that signifieth e 1.5 to bear, or bring forth, and of an adjective, that signifieth f 1.6 First: It importeth two things

• 1. A Nativity or birth.
• 2. The excellency thereof.

The birth here intended cannot be meant of a birth g 1.7 after the flesh. In that re∣spect Nicodemus his scruple is to purpose, Ioh. 3. 4. How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his Mothers womb, and be born?

All such kinds of birth in this mystery are excluded, Ioh. 1. 13. in those phrases, Not of blood, nor of the will of flesh, nor of the will of man. Its therefore stiled (Tit. 3. 5.) h 1.8 regeneration, a being born again, or a new birth. And this must needs be spirituall.

The excellency of this birth is noted in this particle, i 1.9 FIRST:

For the first is a word of order, and of honour▪

Its applied to Christ the second person in sacred Trinity, and to Sons of men. See Chap. 1. v. 6. §. 67, 68.

In this place it may be appropriated to the Iewes, or extended to all Saints. Yea both these may even in this place well stand together.

For the Iewes being Gods first-born, and we being brought to them, and made partakers of their priviledges, are also Gods first-born, as well as they.

From this priviledge, we may observe,

1. They who are of the true Church, are new-born. The metaph or of first∣born being applied to the Church, imports as much. So much likewise is intended, Psal. 87. 5. And of Sion it shall be said, this and that man was born in her. But more fully expressed, Ioh. 1. 12, 13. and Iam. 1. 18. Christ makes it a matter of absolute necessity, Ioh. 3. 3, 5, 7. Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdome of God.

The reason thereof may be taken from that utter depravation which hath seis•…•…d on man: for repairing whereof no patching or piecing will serve the turn, but a new making.

Its called a new birth, to distinguish it from our generall birth; and its stiled a birth, to set out the work of God more lively.

• 1. Hence we should be stirred up, to put our selves upon examination, whether we be of the number of Gods new borne: till we have some evidence thereof, we can have no assurance of any interest to the generall assembly, or to the priviledges appertaining thereunto. For your help herein, take these few signes of regenera∣tion.
  • 1. A new form and image, even such an one, as after God is created in true holi∣nesse* 1.10 and righteousnesse, Eph. 4. 24. Hereby Saint Paul knew, that they at Rome to whom he wrote were born againe, because, saith he, Rom. 6. 17. Ye have obeyed from the heart-root that form of doctrine k 1.11 into which ye were delivered. Here he useth a fit resemblance taken from a mold into which metals are cast: the metall will be of that shape whereof the mold is, and beare that image which is engraven on the mould. Thus they who by the word are begotten againe, will carry the shape and image of the word, which is the image of God. So do all creatures that are not monsters, beare the image of that which begat them. If ye say of a Pig, or Puppy, this is a womans Child, will any beleeve you? Much lesse will I beleeve that he who carries the Devils image is born of God.
  • ...

    2. Spirituall life manifested by spirituall motions, and affections, such as the A∣postle intendeth under this phrase, (Rom. 8. 5.) They that are after the Spirit, do mind the things of the Spirit. And also under this, God will quicken your mortall bodies by his Spirit, v. 11. A Child that is not still-born, will soon manifest life in it, by the na∣turall motions thereof.

    Now in regeneration none are still-born. If therefore there be no spirituall life, no spirituall motions surely there is no regeneration.

  • 3. Readinesse on all occasions to go to God, as to his Father, and of him to seek every needfull thing. To whom will Children more readily go for supply of their wants, then to their Parents, of whom they were begotten and born? I will arise and go to my Father, saith the Prodigall, Luk 15. 18.
  • 4. A constant purpose, and faithfull endeavour to avoid all sin. This is that which Saint Iohn, 1 Epist. 3. 9. intendeth, in this phrase, Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin, with the inner man, in the renewed part he doth not commit sin. Of this inner man the Apostle speaketh, Rom. 7. 17. where he sayth, It is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
• 2. Hence we should be stirred up, to use all means for the beginning and accom∣plishing of this blessed work.

This especially concernes such as upon examination find not this work begun. They are to take due notice of the causes of regeneration, which concur to the work∣ing* 1.12 thereof, which are briefly these.

• 1. The primary author is God. For in this respect we are born of God. God* 1.13 hath begotten us, Jam. 1. 18. Even God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, 1 Pet. 1. 3.
• ...

  2. The procuring causes are Gods will and Gods mercy.

  There could be nothing out of God to move him. It must needs therefore arise from his own meer will. So saith the Apostle, (Iam. 1. 18.) Of his own will begat he us.

  And there could be nothing in man to move God hereunto. For man by nature is most miserable.

  It must needs therefore arise from Gods meer mercy: for misery is the proper object of Mercy. On this ground it is justly said, (1 Pet. 1. 3.) that God according to his abunda•…•…t mercy hath begotten us againe.

• ...

• 3. The immediat matter of regeneration is Gods Spirit. In this respect we are said to be born of the Spirit, John 3. 4. And regeneration is stiled the renewing of the Holy Ghost, Tit. 3. 5. For it is a divine work, above h•…•…m me ability.
• 4. The ordinary instrumentall cause is Gods word, so Iam. 1. 18. God begat us by the word of truth; In this respect the word is stiled incorruptible seed, 1 Pet. 1. 23. The Gospel is that part of Gods word, which is most effectuall hereunto, and it is thereupon stiled the Gospel of salvation, Eph. 1. 13. And the power of God unto salvation, Rom. 1. 16.
• 5. Ministers and Preachers of the Gospel are ministeriall causes of regeneration; who are, in relation to their ministry, said to beget us, and stiled Fathers, 1 Cor. 4. 15. Philem. v. 10.

All these are comprised under the efficient cause, and are so far from thwarting one another as they sweetly concur to produce this divine work of regeneration, being subordinate one to another, and may in this order be placed together. It be∣ing the will of God to shew mercy to man, he ordained Ministers to cast the seed of his word into mens souls, which being quickned by the Spirit, men are hereby born againe.

• II. The materiall cause of Regeneration is Christ incarnate: God made manifest* 1.14 in the flesh, as the Apostle speaketh, 1 Tim. 4. 16. In this respect we are said, Eph. 5. 30. to be of his flesh, and of his bones.
• III. The formall cause of Regeneration, is Gods Image planted in us, which* 1.15 consists in holinesse and righteousness•…•…. After this Image we are said to be renewed, Eph. 4. 24. This makes an essentiall difference betwixt a naturall and regenerate man.
• IV. The finall causes next and subordinate to the glory of Gods free grace and* 1.16 rich mercy are especially two.
  • ...

    1. To make men able to do good, namely such good as may be acceptable and honourable to God, profitable to other men, and truly advantageable to them∣selves.

    The Apostle therefore (Eph. 2. 10.) speaking of Regeneration (which is a kind of creation) thus expresseth this end, we are created in Christ Iesus un∣to good works.

  • 2. To make men fit for glory; For corrupt flesh cannot partake of celestiall glory. Whereupon saith Christ, Ioh. 3. 3. Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdome of God. So far shall he be from being admitted into it, as he shall not come so neer as to see. That fitnesse for heaven is an end of Regenerati∣on, is thus declared, 1 Pet. 1. 3, 4. God hath begotten us again unto a live∣ly hope and to an inheritance incorruptible, &c.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 voca•…•…e
• c 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 evocare, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 caetus evocatus.
• d 1.4

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 pario.
• f 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 primus.
• g 1.7

  Secundum carnem.
• h 1.8

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• i 1.9

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.10

  Signes of re∣generation.
• k 1.11

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.12

  Causes of Re∣generation.
• * 1.13

  1. The effici∣ent.
• * 1.14

  2. The Mat∣ter.
• * 1.15

  3. The Form.
• * 1.16

  4. The Ends;