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 ...

§. 21. Of Christs despising shame.

OF the foresaid shame it is said, that Christ a 1.1 despised it. The Greek word is a compound. The simple verb signifieth b 1.2 to mind a thing. The c 1.3 pre∣position, against, thus this compound verb, to have ones mind set against a thing: So

as it importeth a light esteem of a thing: So light, as not to be moved at all there∣with, but rather to passe it by, as a thing not to be regarded.

It is taken in a bad, and in a good sense.

• ...

  1. When things worthy of high esteem are vilified, and despised, the word is used in a bad sense, as to despise government, 2 Pet. 2. 10.

  That is a fault, and a Sin. The more excellent the thing is, the greater is the Sin in despising it.

• 2. When things not to be regarded, are despised, that kind of despising is good. The shame which Christ is said here to despise was despicable, and contemptible, •…•…ad in that respect well despised.

Two things do clearly demostrate, that Christ despised the shame cast upon him.

• 1. They did no whit distemper his mind.
• 2. They did no way hinder his good course.

His undistempered mind was manifested two wayes.

• 1. By his silence: in that he gave no answer at all, to many disgra•…•…es.
• 2. By the meeknesse of those answers that he gave.

He was silent,

• 1. Before the Priests, when many false witnesses were suborned against him, Matth. 26. 62, 63.
• 2. Before Herod, and his Courtiers, though he were accused vehemently, Luk. 23. 9, 10.
• 3. Before Pilate, so as the Governour admired his patience, Matth. 27. 14.
• 4. Before all sorts that gathered about him: as Souldiers, common people, and strangers: notwithstanding the reproaches were layed on him.

This silence was expresly foretold, Isa. 53. 7.

The meeknesse of his answers may be exemplified in these particulars.

• 1. Against their upbraiding to him his Country, and kindred, he only useth this proverbiall speech, A Prophet is not without honour, save in his own Country, and i•…•… his own house, Matth. 13. 57.
• 2. To their exprobration of his company, he answereth, I came to call sinners to repentance, Matth. 9. 13.
• 3. To their cavils at his doctrine, he thus replieth, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me, Joh. 7. 16.
• 4. Their blaspheming of his miracles, He refuteth with sound arguments, Matth. 12. 25, &c.
• 5. To all their reproaches on the Crosse, his answer is prayer for them, Luk. 23. 34.

Not to insist on more particulars, it is said, when he was reviled, he reviled not a∣gain, &c. 1 Pet. 2. 22.

The second evidence of his depising shame, was, that he was not hindered thereby from doing any good.

• 1. The upbraiding of his Country, and kindred, kept him not from them: but on all occasions, he had recourse to them, and did good unto them.
• 2. Their blaming his company, restrained him not from taking opportunity of calling sinners.
• 3. Their slandering his doctrine and miracles, moved him not to forbear the one, or the other.
• 4. Their accusing him of breaking the Sabbath, hindred him not from doing workes of mercy on the Sabbath day.

The like is verified of every good thing for which he was slandered.

As the shame which Christ despised ministreth much comfort to the members of Christ, who for the profession of his truth are put to much shame; for therein they are made conformable to their head: So it affordeth an excellent direction for their carriage in that case of shame. In which respect that which hath been noted of Christ is the more throughly to be considered. See Chap. 13. v. 13. §. 137.

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 〉.