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 ...

§. 146. Of Gods being well-pleased with spirituall sacrifices.

THe reason to enforce the foresaid duties of charity to man, and praise to God, is thus expressed, For with such sacrifices God is well-pleased.

The causall particle a 1.1 FOR, giveth proof, that this last clause is added as a reason of the former points.

b 1.2 Sacrifices, being a word of the plurall number, hath reference either to the two words, beneficence and communication, which are the fruits of charity; or to the sa∣crifices of praise and charity.

I incline to this later, because it is the most extensive.

That praise is a sacrifice, was shewed v. 15. §. 142.

Charity and the works thereof, are also styled a sacrifice, Phil. 4. 18.

In setting down these sacrifices, the Apostle useth this relative c 1.3 such; which may have reference to other sacrifices like to these. Of such other sacrifices, See Chap. 2. v. 17. §. 175. The main motive to press these duties consisteth in these words, God is well-pleased.

The Greek Verb translated d 1.4 well-pleased, is a compound. e 1.5 The simple Verb signifieth to please, Gal. 1. 10. f 1.6 The Preposition with which the Verb here used is compounded, signifieth well. The compound Verb carrieth much emphasis. It is used to set forth the effect of Enochs walking with God, and as a cause of Gods translating him, that he pleased God, Heb. 11. 5. There is an g 1.7 Adjective derived from the same root, which signifieth accepted, or acceptable, Rom. 12. 1. 2 Cor. 5. 9. Now such persons and things are acceptable to God and accepted of him, which do well please him.

Concerning praise it is said, that it pleaseth the Lord better then an Ox or Bullock, Psal. 69. 31. Thereupon, where God rejecteth externall Legall sacri∣fices, it is said, Offer unto God thanksgiving, Psal. 50. 14. That sacrifice which pleaseth God more then the sacrifices under the Law, must needs be well-pleasing unto him.

Concerning charity and the fruits thereof, the Apostle saith, that it is an 〈◊〉〈◊〉

of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God, Phil. 4. 18. It is said in this case that God loveth a chearfull giver, 2 Cor. 9. 7. yea, if there be first a willing minde, it is accepted, according to that a man hath, 2 Corinth. 8. 12. Therefore to do good and to communicate must needs be well-pleasing to God.

A forcible motive this is to enforce the foresaid duty, Who would not do that* 1.8 which is well-pleasing to God? Every inge•…•…uous person that is under the com∣mand of another, will be ready to do that which is well-pleasing to him that hath authority over him, if at least he bear any good respect to him. So will a dutifull servant, an obedient child, a loyall subject. Should we not much more to God, who is our Master, Father, and supream Governour: who is just and righteous in all that he enjoyns us: who is wise in considering our strength and ability: who is gracious in accepting our desire and endeavour: who is bountifull in re∣warding the least good? Upon his being well-pleased, and an approbation of what a faithfull servant doth, followeth a bountifull remuneration: witness that which was said not only to him that well improved five talents, but also to him that did the like in two talents, Well done good and faithfull servant, thou hast been faith∣full over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord, Mat. 25. 21, 23.

Papists do utterly enervate and make void the force of this argument, by set∣ting* 1.9 it upon a matter of merit: for to do a thing which God requires of us, to me∣rit thereby a reward of God, is so far from well-pleasing God, as it makes it most abominable in his sight.

The ground of their gross errour resteth upon a phrase of the Vulgar Latine,* 1.10 which is incongruous and barbarous. The Rhemists thus translate it word for word, God is premerited. Hence they inferre that good works are meritorious. As the phrase both in Latine and also in English is such, as no true and skilfull Gramma∣rian would use; so their observation thereupon is such, as no sound and Orthodox Divine would raise.

Against this arrogant position of merit, See The whole Armour of God, Treat. 2. Part. 4. on Eph. 6. 14. § 7.

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 〉, pla∣cere.
• f 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• g 1.7

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.8

  Do what well∣pleaseth God.
• * 1.9

  Against merit.
• * 1.10

  Deus prome∣retur.