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 ...

§. 56. Of Gods holinesse conferred on Saints

GOD is so far from wronging his Children in correcting them, as he doth it for their profit. Herein it differeth from earthly Parents, as is evident by this particle of opposiion, a 1.1 but.

The b 1.2 Greek word translated profit, signifieth that which bringeth something with it, namely some good thing, 1 Cor. 7. 35. and 12. 7. In this sense it is here fitly used. For God in afflicting his Children, aimeth at their good. Afflictions are especially comprised under those All things, which work together for good to them that love God, Rom. 8. 28. David upon experience averreth thus much, It is good for me that I have been afflicted, Psal. 119. 71. And the Church, It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth, Lam. 3. 27.

Of the particular good things which arise from Gods afflicting his Children, See v. 5. §. 37. and v. 7. §. 45.

If our own emolument, be not motive enough, to work patience under Gods correcting of us, what can be enough?

The particular kind of profit here especially aimed at, is thus expressed, that we might be partakers of his holinesse. How great a profit and benefit holinesse is, hath been shewed, Chap. 3. v. 1. §. 7.

Of the notation of the Greek word translated holinesse, see Chap. 2. v. 11. §. 100.

The more to commend the commodity here intended unto us, he thus stileth it, His holinesse. The relative his hath reference to God: so as it is Gods holinesse that is here intended. A greater commendation could not have been set upon a commodity. In this respect, Saints are stiled the people of Gods holinesse, Isai. 63. 18. and they who walk unworthy of their holy calling, are said to profane the holi∣nesse of the Lord, Mal. 2. 11.

It is said to be Gods holinesse sundry wayes.

• 1. In regard of the excellency thereof. For in Canaans language, excellent things are said to be of God.
• 2. In regard of the originall of it. It commeth from God, Iam. 1. 17.
• 3. In regard of the nature and kind of it. It is a divine grace: of the nature of God himself. This is that which is stiled the divine nature, 2 Pet. 1. 4.
• 4. In regard of the likenesse and resemblance we have therein to God, Lev. 19. 2. 1 Pet. 1. 15, 16. There is nothing wherein a creature can more resemble his Creator, then in holinesse. This is that Image of God, after which God at first created man, Gen. 1. 26, 27. Eph. 4. 24.
• 5. In regard of the communion which thereby we have with God. For without holinesse no man shall see God, v. 14. But they who have communion with God are stiled an holy Priest-hood, an holy nation, 1 Pet. 2. 5, 9. God therefore hath chosen u•…•…, that we should be holy before him, Eph. 1. 4. Christ for this end, gave himself for his Church, and sanctified, and cleansed it, that it might be holy, and so fit to be presented unto God, Eph. 5. 25, 26, 27.

Besides these generals, there are other particulars which shew why the holinesse of justification, and why the holinesse of sanctification are said to be Gods.

The holinesse whereby we are justified, is said to be Gods,

• 1. In regard of the very matter and essence of it. For it is the holinesse of the Son of God, our surety very God. In this respect we are said to be made the righteousnesse of God in him, 2 Cor. 5. 21.
• 2. In regard of Gods imputing his Sons righteousnesse to us, and accounting it ours, Psal. 32. 1. Rom. 4. 6.
• ...

• 3. In regard of Gods accepting it as ours. For that which God accepts, may well be stiled his, Eph. 1. 6.

The holinesse whereby we are sanctified, is said to be Gods,

• 1. In regard of the immediate worker of it in us: which is the third person in sa∣cred Trinity, who is very God, the Spirit of God: who in regard of this divine operation, is stiled the Holy Ghost, Rom. 15. 16. and sanctificati∣on is said to be that of the Spirit, 2 Thes. 2. 13.
• 2. In regard of the instrumental means of working it, which is Gods word.
• 3. In regard of the pattern of it, whereunto it is framed: that is Gods will, Mat. 6. 10. 1 Thes. 4. 3. Rom. 12. 2. Gods will is like the mould whereinto metal is cast; and our sanctification is like metal cast into that mould: so they who are truly sanctified, carry the very Image of the will of God.

This giveth an evidence of the good and great respect which God beareth to his in conferring upon them his own holinesse, even the excellency of his excellencies. It was an high degree of dignity, that God should at first create man after his own Image: but, after man had forfeited that dignity, to confer a greater, which is the holinesse of God here meant, is beyond apprehension. The honour which Aha∣s•…•…erus did to Mordecai, in causing the royal apparel to be put on him, and the royal Crown to be set upon his head, and he set upon the Kings horse, was counted so great, as this proclamation was made thereof, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the King delighteth to honour, Est. 6. 8. &c.

But behold a dignity infinitely greater then that, Saints are arraied with the holi∣nesse of God: Gods holinesse is as a Crown set on their heads. Thus shall it be done to them whom the King of heaven delighteth to honour.

Of the grace of God, See v. 15. §. 82.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

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