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 ...

§. 40. Of the meaning of Heb. 12. 6.

Heb. 12. 6.

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

THe more to keep us from the forementioned extreams of despising afflictions, or fainting under them, the Apostle produceth the procuring cause whereby God is moved to afflict his Children: and this is his own love towards them. The first particle being causall, a 1.1 FOR, giveth proof hereof.

Of this affection of Love in generall, See the Saints sacrifice, on Psal. 116. 1. §. 4.

God by assuming to himself this affection of b 1.2 Love, in referance to Saints, sheweth that his heart is knit to them; and that they may be made the sitter for him, be chasteneth them.

Of the word c 1.3 chastening, as it setteth out a Parents correcting of his child, See §. 36.

To this he addeth another verb, which implieth a severe kind of correction. For to scourge importeth more then to chastise. A child is ordinarily chastised with a rod, but scourged with a whip: and they are so dealt withall, when they prove stubborn.

d 1.4 The root, from whence this e 1.5 Greek word commeth, signifieth a scourge, or a whip. Of this word scourging, See more, Chap. 11. v. 36. §. 252.

See an exemplification of the difference betwixt Christs Chastning and Scourg∣ing, 2 Sam. 7. 14. Psal. 89. 32.

Though the latter of these two do intend more severity then the former, yet both of them being here applied to a Father, are opposed to the usuall practise of a Judge, which is to take away the life of a Malefactor, and is set out by these instru∣ments of punishment, Sword, Halter, Fire, &c.

This last phrase, Whom he receiveth, is added as another motive whereby God is induced to scourge his Children. f 1.6 The greek word is a compound. g 1.7 The

simple verb signifieth to receive. This compound addeth emphasis, and implieth to receive one, as to acknowledge him to be his: and thereupon to take speciall care of him. Thus it is an amplification of the former motive concerning Gods love. It is an evidence thereof.

In Hebrew it is thus expressed: In whom he delighteth, Prov. 3. 12. There is ex∣pression again made of a Son, thus, The Son in whom he delighteth, or whom he ac∣cepteth. For the h 1.8 Hebrew word signifieth to accept. So it is oft translated by our English: as Eccles. 9. 7. Deut. 33. 11. and in sundry other places.

As the former word expresseth the love of God: So this latter setteth forth his care of them. He receiveth them for his Sons: he calleth them into the commu∣nion of Saints, which is his Church, even his House, (1 Tim. 3. 15.) and answerably dealeth with them.

Concerning this generall phrase, every Son, two doubts are raised.* 1.9

• 1. Whether none but Sons are scourged.
• 2. Whether every Child without exception is scourged.

Answ. To the first, Correcting Children, doth not necessarily imply others im∣punity. A▪ Father that correcteth his Child, may also punish a Slave. Yet take correction in the proper ends and fruits thereof, and it will be found proper to Children.

Answ. To the second, Never was there, never shall there be, a Child of God in this world without correction, v. 7, 8.

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 〉.
• d 1.4

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

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

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. r•…•…cipio.
• h 1.8

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.9

  (i) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.