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 ...

§. 48. Of the Apostles much pressing the benefits of afflictions.

THis clause, whereof all are partakers, hath been before, and is hereafter again and* 1.1 again inculcated; and that at least twelve times.

• 1. By the Apostles intimation of Gods mind, v. 5. he speaketh unto you as unto chil∣dren.
• 2. By the title which in the name of the Lord is given to the afflicted, thus, My Son, v. 5.
• ...

• 3. By making correction a fruit of love, whom the Lord loveth, v. 6.
• 4. By extending it to every Son, v. 6.
• 5. By making affliction an evidence of Gods respect, v. 7.
• 6. By inculcating Gods usual dealing, interrogatively, What Son is it, &c? v. 7.
• 7. By accounting such as are not so dealt withall to be bastards, v. 8.
• 8. By returning to the same again, in this phrase, whereof all are partakers, v. 8.
• 9. By paralleling the like dealing of earthly parents with their children, v. 9.
• 10. By noting the different ends of earthly parents, and Gods, v. 10.
• 11. By removing what might be objected against it, v. 11.
• 12. By shewing the blessed fruits of afflictions, v. 12.

We may not think that these are so many tautologies, or vain repetitions of the* 1.2 same things; for the Apostle was guided by a divine Spirit, which made him well to poise all his words; and not set down a phrase or word rashly.

There are sundry weighty reasons for repeating and inculcating one and the same thing: whereof see The Saints Sacrifice, on Psal. 116. 16. §. 48.

A special point hence to be observed is this, That men are hardly brought to be∣lieve that afflictions are fruits of Gods love. It is not a novices lesson, it is not lear∣ned at first entrance into Christs School. Christs Disciples, though they had Christ himself to be their instructer, could not at first apprehend it. This made Christ very frequently inculcate this principle, of taking up the Crosse and following him. Ignorance of this made many Christians in the Apostles times faint and fall away, 2 Tim. 4. 16. Yea some of Gods worthies have in the triall made doubt hereof, Psal. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 7, 8, 9. Iob 23. 24, 25. Lam. 2. 4.

This principle is against common sense, and natural reason: yea against experi∣mentall feeling. I may say of them, who are perswaded of the truth thereof, as Christ did of Peter, Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto you, but my Father which is in heaven, Matth. 16. 17. The rule according to which natural men judge mat∣ters, is bodily sight, outward sense, such experience as flesh and blood useth to take. No marvell then though they be so hardly brought to believe this truth.

This may be a good incitement to labor after faith, that we may walk by it, ra∣ther then by sense.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Benefits of afflictions twelve times inculcated.
• * 1.2

  Fruits of af∣flictions very remarkable.