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 ...

§. 39. Of afflictions convincing men of sin.

THe affliction of the Lord is set out in this word a 1.1 rebuked, and that the ra∣ther, to aggravate the latter extream, which may seem to be the lighter. The word is used of convincing one of a sin.

Thus the very word is translated convicted, Ioh. 8. 9. And a noun comming from thence is translated b 1.2 evidence, Heb. 11. 1. §. 4.

The H•…•…brew word in the derivation thereof, signifieth as much.

This word is here used in two r•…•…spects.

• 1. In regard of the order which the Lord useth in rebuking. He first convinceth, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rebuketh them.
• 2. In regard of the effect that followeth. By Gods rebuke men are convinced of

• ... 〈◊〉〈◊〉. And because by afflictions men use to be rebuked and convinced, Rebuke is put for afflictions, Rev. 3. 19. Afflictions then convince men of somewhat that God would have them to take notice of. This may be well exemplified in Iosephs Brethren, Gen. 42. 21. The case of Israel about Achan may also be an instance thereof; and about the fiery serpents, Numb. 21. 7. And in their undertakings against the Benja∣•…•…, Iudg. 20. 26.

Prosperity, as dust flieth in the eyes of mens understandings, so as they cannot well see, & discerne their disposition. It is like a fawning flatterer, who speaketh nothing but well, according to the mind of him with whom he speaketh: As Ahabs false Prophets, 1 King. 22. 13.

• ...

  1. Hereby we have an instance of the necessity of afflictions: we should be exceed∣ingly bewitched if it were not for them.

  They are rebukers in the gate, Amos. 5. 10. And we have great need of such rebu∣kers.

• 2. This also sheweth the utility and benefit of afflictions. It is very usefull to be convinced and rebuked, Prov. 9. 8, 9.
• 3. This is a good ground of patience. Things so needfull and usefull ought to be patiently borne.
• 4. This teacheth us well to observe in all afflictions, what it is for which the Lord rebuketh, Lam. 3. 40, 41. Iosh. 7 13. Want of this search makes many crosses to faile of their kindly work.

Men have two helps about searching out their sins.

• One is Gods word, which is a declaration of Gods mind, and sheweth why he doth so and so afflict men.
• The other is, their own conscience, whereby they may know how to apply such generalls, as are revealed in Gods word, to themselves in particular.

Of searching out sins, See A Plaister for the Plague, On Numb. 16. 44. §. 4, 5, &c. And Dearths Death, On 2 Sam. 21. 1. §. 18.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

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