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 ...

§. 42. Of Gods scourging his Children.

TO the former word of a 1.1 chastening, he addeth this other (b) scourgeth. Of the difference betwixt these two words, See §. 37, 40. It here implieth soare af∣flictions wherewith God afflicteth his Children. He oft useth a whip instead of a rod, 2. Sam. 7. 14. David was a man after Gods own heart, yet severely scourged. His manifold complaints give proof hereof, as Psal. 6. 6. and 31. 9, 10. and 32. 4. But more grievous are Iobs complaints. The Histories of them both doth shew, what cause they had to complaine as they did.

• 1. Sometimes God scourgeth his for the more evident proof of that true and great grace that is in them. This was Iobs case.
• 2. For manifestation of his detestation of their enormous and scandulous sins. This was Davids case.

• 1. This gives us just cause, when we are scourged of the Lord, to examine our carriage towards him, and to search after such sins as have provoked God to scourge 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Hereof see §. 45.
• 2. It admonisheth us to take heed of offending our loving Father too much: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 we so farr grieve his Spirit, as to scourge us. Though he do not clean with∣draw his love from us, yet in love he may so scourge us, as to force us to repent a∣gain and again of our foolish carriage towards him. He can tame us, though be do not damne us.
• 3. It teacheth us to carry our selves under scourging answerably to Gods dealing with us, that will be by a deeper degree of humiliation, Iosh. 7. 6. Iudg. 20. 23. 1 Sam. 7. 6. A Father expecteth as much. To the truth of humiliation must be ad∣ded a greater measure of watchfullnesse against sin for the future, Numb. 12. 14. Matth. 3. 8. An ingenuous and prudent child will so do, both for fear of smart (a burnt child dreads the fire) and also to prevent his Fathers griefe.
• 4. This manifesteth the undue censures of many concerning Gods children, that they are no children of God, because they are scourged of God. This was the cen∣sure of Iobs wife and friends, and of many that beheld David in his troubles.
• 5. It directeth us to be prepared, not for chastening only, but for scourging also. Consider what hath been registred of Gods ancient Worthies, Chap. 11. 35, &c.
• 6. This may comfort us in our sore afflictions whereunto we are subject: that God may receive us and take us for his Children, though he scourge us.

It is not want of love, but great wisedome that moveth him to deale with us as he doth.

Notes

• a 1.1

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