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 ...

§. 24. Of the Contradiction of sinners which Christ endured against himself.

THe person whom we ought especially to consider, is here described by his great patience. Before it is premised an emphaticall particle, which implieth such an 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as none like unto him.

We translate it, a 1.1 Him. Some the more fully to expresse the emphasis, translate it with a pariphrase thus, b 1.2 who he was, or what manner of person he was. He was s•…•…ch an one, as never the like was, will be, or can be in the world againe. Yet He 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

The word translated, c 1.3 endured, is the same that was used §. 18. and it im∣plieth Patience and Constancy.

To amplifie Christs patience, the proof thereof is set out in this word d 1.4 Contra∣diction. It is the same word that was used Chap. 6. v. 16. §. 121. and translated 〈◊〉〈◊〉. but Chap. 7. v. 5. §. 46. it is translated as here, Contradiction. It implyeth an oppo∣•…•… against Christs doctrine and workes.

They opposed against Christs doctrine, in saying, that he deceived the people, Joh. 7. 12. They accused him before Pilat for perverting the people, Luk. 23. 14. And for speaking against Caesar, (John 19. 12.) whereas he taught them to give to Caesar that which was Caesars, Matth. 22. 21. When by their importunity he plainly declared who he was, they accused him of blasphemy, Matth. 26. 65. The like they did when •…•…e pronounced remission of sin to a poor distressed sinner, Matth. 9. 3. When he de∣clared who were of God, and who were not, They said, that he was a Samaritan, and had a devill, John 8. 48. It is said of the Jewes, that They spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming, Acts 13. 45. So they did against Christ.

They also spake against his works, as against works of mercy, on the Sabbath day, Mark. 3. 2. Against his conversing with sinners, though it were for their conversion, Matth. 9. 11. Against his miracles, as don by the Prince of Devills, Matth. 12. 24.

In these and other like respects, this word, e 1.5 such, is fitly added. It carrieth emphasis. It was such contradiction, both in the matter, and manner, as never the like offered to any other. It was such as may justly astonish and amaze those that hear it: Such as cannot sufficiently be set out. This was part of that shame which is set out v. 2. §. 19.

This is much aggravated by the persons who did so contradict him. It is said to be the contradiction f 1.6 of Sinners.

The word, Sinners, is in the New Testament usually put, for such as are impu∣dent, and obstinate in sin; who live, and lie impenitently therein; who are so far from Christian contrition, and godly sorrow, for sins past; or from care to have their sins covered before God, by Faith in Christ; and before men, by true repen∣tance;

as they account it nothing to be accounted Sinners. In this sense, Publicans and Sinners ore oft joyned together, Matth. 9. 10, 11. and 11. 19. This title is given to a notorious strumpet, Luk. 7. 37, 39. and to the chief among Publicans, Luk. 19. 2, 7. The Jewes in detestation of Christ attribute this epithite, Sinner, to Christ, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 9. 24.

Sinners are ordinarily opposed to the righteous, that is to such as having repen∣ted of their sins past, endeavour to live righteously, 1 Tim. 1. 9. 1 Pet. 4. 18.

The sinners here intended were

• 1. The Scribes, and Pharisees. Howsoever the Pharisees made a great shew of sanctity before men; yet before God, they were such, sinners as are here intended; They were out of measure proud, covetous, superstitious, and cruell. In these, and other like respects, Iohn the Baptist, and Christ himself stiled them a generall▪ on of Vipers, Matth. 3. 7. and 12. 34. They were oft taxed for the foresaid vices, and yet they obstinately continued in them: they repented not, Matth. 21. 31, 32. In their oppositions against Christ, and persecutions of him, and his, they were most impudent.
• ...

  2. Sadduces: who were among the Jewes as Epicures among the Heathen. For they say, That there is no resurrection, neither Angell, nor Spirit, Act. 23. 8.

  Therefore they gave themselves to all licentiousnesse.

• 3. The high Priests men, Luk. 22 63, 64.
• 4. Herod, and his men, Luk. 23. 11.
• 5. Pilats Souldiers, Matth. 27. 27.
• 6. The Thief crucified with him, Luk. 23. 39.
• 7. The common rabble that followed men to execution, Matth. 27. 39.

To be so thwarted by the worst sort of people must needs be a grievous contra∣diction.

Further, to aggravate this contradiction, it is said to be, g 1.7 against himself; in∣deed sometimes they contradicted his Disciples, to blame him thereby, as in the case of not fasting, Matth. 9. 14. and rubbing corn on the Sabbath day, Matth. 12. 1. and eating with unwashed hands, Matth. 15. 2. But even against his own self▪ against that doctrine which he himself preached, and the works which he himself wrought. They regarded not the dignity of his person, the integrity of his life, the benefit of his works, nor any other thing in him, which might have restrained them from their violent contradiction, but impudently they contradicted him himself.

By this it appears, that the most excellent, and innocent persons▪ may have the most virulent oppositions by the vilest among men.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

  Quis ille si•…•….
• c 1.3

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

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

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Who are counted Sin∣ners.
• g 1.7

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