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 ...

§. 83. Of breeding corruptions.

TO the former kind of object, whereabout Christians subjection must be exer∣cised, is that corruption whereunto we are subject, thus expressed, lest any root

of bitternesse springing up, &c. This latter dependeth on the first word of the verse, a 1.1 looking, as is evident, two wayes.

• 1. In that the former particles are here repeated, namely, b 1.2 lest any.
• 2. In that a participle, c 1.3 springing up, is used in this latter sentence. Of this particle of caution, lest, and of the extent thereof, in this word, any, see §. 81.

This word, d 1.4 root, is metaphorically used, and setteth forth our corruption. We know that that part of a plant, which lieth within the earth, draweth the moysture of the earth to it, quickeneth and putteth a life into that moysture, and so sendeth it up into the body and branches of the plant, and thereby maketh it fruitfull. Thus it sheweth, that that inward corruption, which lurketh in a man, sprouteth forth into manifold sins. This in Scripture is stiled, the flesh, Gal. 5. 17, 19. The old man, and the body of sin, Rom. 6. 6.

This phrase, e 1.5 any root, implieth, that there are many sprigs & strings of the great root. For there is but one generall capitall root. That, and other inward corrup∣tions, are all of them breeding, Iam. 1. 15. They are like leven, 1 Cor. 5. 6.

This will further be manifested by an induction of particulars, such as these.

• 1. The flesh, Gal. 5. 19, 20, 21. Hence sprout all actuall sins.
• 2. Error, This is stiled leven, Matth. 16. 6, 12. Grant one absurdity, and many more will follow from thence.
• 3. Hypocrisie, This also is a leven, Luk. 12. 1. It sets men on work to invent a thousand tricks.
• 4. Lust, Jam. 1. 14, 15. Hence arise many grievous sins.
• 5. Covetousnesse, This is the root of all evill, 1 Tim. 6. 10.
• 6. Maliciousnesse, This also is a leven, 1 Cor. 5. 8. To this may Envy be added.
• 7. Pride, This is the cause of all contention, Prov. 13. 10. and of sundry other sins, Ezek. 7. 10.
• 8. Anger, Gen. 49. 7. Prov. 29. 22.
• 9. Idlenesse, Ezek. 36. 49. 2 Sam. 11. 7.
• 10. Infidelity, This draweth from God, Heb. 3. 12. To these I might adde, f 1.6 and such like, as the Apostle doth, Gal. 5. 21.

This teacheth us to be watchfull, as against every sin, so especially against bree∣ding corruptions. A skilfull gardner thinkes it not enough to cut off the heads of weeds, but will pull up the roots. Be watchfull over thine heart and soul, Matth. 12. 25. and 15. 19. Above all, suppresse naturall corruption, and inward passions and lusts. For this end observe these rules.

• 1. Get assurance of regeneration, whereby corrupt nature is altered. Till a man be born again, all will be in vain.
• 2. Be well instructed in the mysteries of Godlinesse, that so thou maist be kept from being seduced with errors.
• 3. Bring thy will into subjection to Gods.
• 4. Keep thine heart with all diligence, Prov. 4. 23.
• 5. Be of a tender conscience, 1 Sam. 24. 6. 2 Sam. 24. 10.
• 6. Set thine affections aright.

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 〉.
• e 1.5

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

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