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 ...

§. 61. The grievousnesse of afflictions are especially to sense.

THe Apostle doth many wayes mitigate the grievousnesse of afflictions; as first that it is especially to sense, implied in this word, a 1.1 seemeth. Thus much is intended under this phrase, Is my flesh of brasse, Iob. 6. 12. It is from sense, that mens complaints of afflictions are so great as they use to be.

Object. The soul and spirit of man, is oft sorely afflicted, Psal. 42. 5, 6.

Answ.

• 1. That is by reason of a sympathy with the body.
• 2. There is a sense of the soul, as well as of the body. Were the soul in∣sensible, spiritual judgements, which are the heaviest, would prove to be no judgements.

Hereby we may see a ground of that difference, which is betwixt party and party, in enduring the same kind of affliction. Some will inwardly fret, and vex them∣selves,

and outwardly tosse and tumble, rage and roar, and shew much impatience: Others, on the other side, meekly and quietly, with much humility and patience, bear the affliction. The reason is, because the former are led only by sense; as they feel, so are they affected: The latter have an ability above sense to endure whatso∣ever is laid on them, and that by faith in God, his properties, and promises.

Two things may be here objected.

• 1. They who have faith are oft much disquieted: witnesse Iob and David.
• 2. Heathen men, who have no faith, manifest admirable patience, as Regulus.

Answ. To the first. Believers have flesh in them, as well as Spirit. That flesh is so sensible of sharp afflictions, as it oft hindereth the exercise of faith, Matth. 26. 41.

To the second. Many heathen and naturall men, through vain glory, or some other bie and base end, have taken to themselves an invincible resolution, not to manifest any sense of the affliction which they endure, and thereupon seeme to have no sense.

We Christians, by a patient enduring of that which seemes not joyous but griev∣ous, may gaine and give evidence, that the Spirit is more prevalent in us then the flesh.

For this end we must be well acquainted with the true grounds of comfort, which are these, Who afflicteth? God our Father. What moveth him? his Love. What aimes he at? our need. What will he produce? our good. What will follow thereupon? everlasting glory.* 1.2

Another mitigation of the grievousnesse of afflictions, is, that they are but for a time, for the present, even for a little season. See more hereof on Chap. 10. v. 37. §. 138.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

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