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 ...

§. 27. Of making others distresses our own.

BOth to incite and direct the Hebrews about that duty of remembring them that are in bonds, the Apostle addeth this clause, As a 1.1 bound with them. This also is is the interpretation of one Greek compound word.

As an incitation it implieth a due consideration of our own condition, which is subject to the like case. For though at one time we be at liberty, and not bound; yet at another time we may be bound and restrained of liberty. Yea at that time wherein others are in bonds, we also might have been in their case. We therefore being by the Divine Providence free, ought the rather to succour them that are not free.

As it is a direction, it importeth a sympathy and fellow-feeling of others distres∣ses: and that such an one, as if we our selves were in the like distresse: and there∣upon so pitifully, and compassionately to deal with them, and for them, as it may be discerned, that we could not be otherwise affected in our own case; nor could do, or desire more to be done for our selves.

Thus it setteth forth the manner and measure of succouring others, accord∣ing to the tenour of the Law thus set down, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self, Levit. 19. 18.

This point of succouring others, as if we our selves were in their case, is much

pressed in Scripture: as, in these phrases, Bear ye one anothers burthen (Gal. 6. 2.) Rejoyce with them that do rejoyce: and weep with them that weep. Be of the same minde one towards another, Rom. 12. 15, 16. So did he that said, I am as one that comforteth the mourners, Job 30. 25. And he that said, When they were sick, my clothing was sack•…•…loth; I humbled my soul with fasting, Psal. 35. 13. And another that said, Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended, and I burn not? 2 Cor. 11. 29. In this respect it is said to these Hebrews, Ye became companions of them that •…•…ere so used, Heb. 10. 33.

God though he be not capable of any distresse, yet setteth himself forth so affe∣cted, and so afflicted, with the distresses of his Church and children, as if he were in the like distresse. For it is said of him, That his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel, Judg. 10. 16. And that his bowels were troubled, Jer. 31. 20.

Such a minde worketh compassion. So much this Apostle observeth, Heb. 10. 33, 34. And compassion puts on to afford all the succour that is needfull. The com∣passion of Pharaohs daughter to do what she did to Moses that was cast out (Exo. 2. 6.) And the Samaritan to do what he did to the man whom he found half dead, Luke 10. 33. It is oft noted, That Christ was hereby moved to afford that succour, which on all occasions he afforded, as Mark 1. 41. Matth. 14. 14. Luke 7. 13. Yea God himself is hereby said to be moved (But after the manner of man.) He being full of compassion forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not, Psal. 78. 38. So 2 Kin, 13. 23. Deut. 30. 3.

S•…•…rely they who forget those that are in bonds, in prison, in danger, in captivi∣ty, or any other way restrained, do not consider that their own case might be such a case. They think anothers distresse concerns not them at all. They neglect them, because they forget them: They forget because they are not duly affected with their distresse, as if it were their own.

Philosophers observe two extreams contrary to the duty here required:

One is, want of grief, or want of passion. This was their fault of whom the Prophet thus saith, They are not grieved for the affliction of Ioseph, Amos 6. 6. The Church thus complaineth of such, Is it nothing to you all ye that passe by? Lam. 1. 12.

The other is, Rejoycing at others distresse. Of such Iob thus complaineth, Now am I their song, yea I am their by-word, Job 30. 9. And David thus, I was the song of the drunkards, Psal. 69. 12. And the Church in her affliction thus, I was their song all the day, Lam. 3. 14.

Against both these, severe judgements are denounced.

Against the former this, Therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go ca∣ptive, Amos. 6. 7.

Against the latter this, Because thou hast clapped thine hands, and stamped with thy feet, and rejoyced in heart, with all thy despite, against the house of Is∣ra•…•…l: Behold, therefore I will stretch out my hand upon thee, &c. Ezek. 25. 6, 7. and 35. 15.

The later of rejoycing at others miseries, is of the two the worst. The Psalmist maketh a direfull imprecation against them, Psal. 35. 26. This was an evidence of su•…•…e and sore vengeance. For by an extraordinary and Propheticall Spi∣rit he did it: and thereby declared what would fall upon them. So hainous a vice this is, as Iob maketh an imprecation against himself, if he were guilty thereof, Iob 31. 29, &c. It is expresly said by the Wiseman, That he that is glad at ca∣lamities shall not be unpunished, Prov. 17. 5.

It becometh us as we see or hear of any distresses of others, near or sar off, to lay them to heart, as if it were our own case, and answerably to do what we can for their good.

Notes

• a 1.1

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