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 ...

§. 26. Of succouring such as cannot seek it.

THE Apostle doth the rather put those to whom he wrote in minde of such as were bound, and would have them to be remembred, because being so bound, they were not able to come themselves to make their case known to others.

All duties enjoyned for their sakes who are restrained of liberty are so many proofs of the equity of this point: as to visit the sick, Iam. 5. 14. or are in prison, in a dungeon, or any other place of restraint: or such as are lame, impotent, or any way unable to seek succour themselves.

Christ takes special notice of this kinde of kindnesse to recompense the same, Mat. 25. 36.

For our Direction and Encouragement hereunto we have set before us:

• 1. The patern of God himself. He offers and affords succour to such as seek it 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Isa. 65. 1. Rom. 9. 30. This is set forth to the life in a Parable of a young childe cast out and left succourlesse, Ezek. 16. 4, &c. Woe had it been with all mankinde if God had not sought to man, before man sought to God. Man was so far from first seeking to God, as when God first sought to man, man sled from him, Gen. 3. 8. But we must be followers of God, Eph. 5. 1.
• 2. The example of the Sonne of God, who in the same manner doth good, as his Father doth, freely, of himself, before it be sought of him: even to such as neither did nor could seek it. When we were yet without strength, while we were yet 〈◊〉〈◊〉, when we were enemies, when we were dead in sinnes, Christ shewed mercy un∣•…•… us, Rom 5. 6, 8, 10. Ephes. 2. 1, 5. Christ professeth of himself, that he came to seek, and to save that which was lost, Luke 19. 10. This he exemplifieth in divers P•…•…rables, Luke 15. 4, &c. He first came to a people that sa•…•…e in darknesse, Matth.

• 16. In the dayes of his flesh he went unto such as could not come to him, Matth. 8. 14. and offered relief before it was sought, Mat. 4. 32. Iohn 5. 6. But the same minde must be in us that was in Christ, Phil. 2. 15.
• 3. We have also the examples of such as have herein been guided by the Spirit of God. When Abraham heard that Lot was taken captive, he used means to re∣scue him, though no mediation were used unto him for that purpose, G•…•…n. 14. 14. When 〈◊〉〈◊〉 heard of the great affliction and reproach wherein the Jews were, of his own accord he went to them and did great things for them, Neh•…•…m. 1. 4, &c. When Ebed-melech heard that they had put Ieremiah in the dungeon, he used means to get him out, I•…•…r. 38. 7, &c. I•…•…b was eyes to the blinde, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the lame, Job 29. 15. The Samaritan when he saw a man wounded, and half dead, he suc∣coured him, Luke 10. 30, 33, 34. Now we must be followers of them that •…•…ollow Christ, 1 Cor. 11. 1.

If we be not thus minded, many may perish for want of succour.

Ieremiah might have perished if Ebed-melech had not of his own accord first af∣forded him succour.

This manner of being good giveth evidence, that a spirit of goodness is in us: and that we do good for goodness sake.

What may we now think of such as turn their eyes, ears and hearts from such as come to them, make known their cases to them, call and cry to them for help and succour? Iob maketh a great complaint of the hard-heartednesse of his friends to him in such a case, Iob 19. 14, 15, &c. Such are worse then he that is said neither to fear God, nor regard man: and yet was moved by the importunity of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 widdow to succour her. The doom of such is expresly set down, Prov. 21. 13. and Iames 2. 13. They shall not be heard when they cry: but shall have iudgement with∣out mercy.

Surely their mercy is too too scan•…•…y, who extend it to none but to such as by im∣portunate clamours do in a manner force it from them. Such mercy m•…•…y seem ra∣ther to be for their own ease, quiet, praise, or self-respect, some way or other, then for the Lords sake, their brothers sake, or pity, mercy and goodness sake. What approbation, what remuneration can such look for from the Lord?

It will be our wisdome, and it is our duty to take notice of this extent of mercy: and thereupon to be ready to hearken to such motions as shall be made unto us for such as are far off: or to such as are in hold, or any way bound: or such as are sick, or maimed, or lame, or any way so distressed as they cannot come to us. Yea we ought to enquire after the estate of Gods Church and people; and go to prisons, and visit the sick, and such as are any way impotent.