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 ...

§. 36. Of the bed undefiled.

THis clause, And the bed undefiled, may be here taken as a further Commendation of marriage. In this sense the copulative particle a 1.1 AND, joyneth two attri∣butes appertaining to marriage together, 1. Honourable. 2. Undefiled. As if it were thus translated, And it is a bed undefiled.

Or it may be taken as an explanation, shewing wherein marriage is honourable: namely, in that it is the bed undefiled. In this sense the copulative joyneth two sub∣jects together: namely, Marriage, AND the bed undefiled: and makes them both

honourable: As if he had said, Marriage is honourable, and the bed undefiled is honourable.

Both these in the general tend to the same scope.

This later clause is added by way of prevention. For it might be objected, that married persons lie in bed together; and thence also inferred, that it is polluted, and cannot be honourable. This is here prevented, in that the Apostle addeth that that is the bed undefined.

Some take this to be added by way of caution; that on this ground marriage is honourable, if the bed be kept undefiled.

I deny not, but that the bed undefiled addeth much to the honour of marriage: and that the defiled bed taketh much from the honour thereof: yet marriage by virtue of the first Institution thereof, is in it self honourable, though afterwards it may be dishonoured. A Sacrament is in it self sacred, though by prophane persons it be polluted.

b 1.2 Bed is here metonymically taken for the conjugall act, which useth to be done in the bed: as a Table is put for that which is done at the Table; or for that which is set upon the Table, 1 Cor. 10. 21.

c 1.3 The simple Verb from whence this compound [undefiled] is derived, signifieth to defile, Iude v. 8. d 1.4 A privative Preposition added thereto, implieth a freedom from pollution.

This privative compound useth to be applied to things perfectly pure, without any spot or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 emish; as to the heavenly inheritance, 1 Pet. 1. 4. To pure religion, Jam. 1. 27. And to Christ himself, Heb. 7. 27.

Here the marriage-bed is called, undefiled, not simply, as if in the act of marri∣ed persons, there were no manner of pollution, no sinne at all: But in regard of Gods Ordinance: and of the Act considered in it self, and exempt from the frailties and faults of them that use it. Adam and Eve might have used it in their innocent estate. It is no more a defiled act, then to eat and to drink are. Well therefore is it here opposed to acts of uncleannesse: namely, to whore∣dom and adultery.

In this respect married persons may live as chastly as single persons, whether male or female; if not more chastly. They were married wives whom the Apostle ex∣horteth to be chaste, Tit. 2. 5.

Of Matrimonial chastity, See Domest. Dut. Treat. 2. Part. 2. §. 4.

That which in it self is undefiled, ought to be used, so far as in us lieth without any pollution or defilement.

Though the marriage-bed be in it self the bed undefiled, yet by licentiousnesse it may be, and useth to be too too much defiled. We must therefore pray, that it may be sanctified to us: and we must use it with moderation and sobriety: having an eye to the right ends thereof: and carefully observing the Directions of Gods Word thereabout.

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 〉, Polluere.
• d 1.4

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