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 ...

§. 68. Of applying to others Promises made to some.

QUestion is made, Where God should say that which is here set down?

Some think that it is gathered out of the usuall and common Doctrine of the sacred Scripture, as if it were thus more distinctly expressed, The Lord doth here and there, even every where almost throughout the Scripture faithfully pro∣mise to be alwayes present with his children, to provide for them, to succour them according to their need: and never to leave them succourless; nor utterly to cast them off. Thus such an indefinite testimony is used in these words, Wherefore, he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, &c. Eph. 5. 14. That testimony is not in express terms set down in any particular Text of Scripture: But because it is the general Doctrin of the Scripture it is brought in as a divine testimony thus, he saith. For the holy Ghost in the Scripture very oft cals upon those that sleep in sinne to awake and repent. This general interpretation of a Testimony may well stand where the expresse words cannot be found in any distinct place. But the Testimony here in this Text quoted by the Apostle is in so many words set down by God him∣self, Iosh. 1. 5.

Object. That Promise being in particular made to Ioshua, how can it be extended to all Saints?

Answ. It containeth a truth that concerneth all Gods children, and therefore as God on one occasion applied it to Ioshua, to encourage him against the many and mighty Nations with whom he was to fight: So on other occasions it may be appli∣ed to others. For Gods presence with his, and care over them, encourageth them against enemies: makes them content in any state; makes them patient under all crosses; heartneth them against all temptations, and imboldneth them against all dangers.

Of that grace which God shewed to Abraham in counting to him his faith for righteousness (Gen. 15. 6.) the Apostle thus •…•…aith, It was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him: but for us also to whom it shall be imputed, &c. Rom. 4. 24.* 1.1

That which is said of Promises may also be applied to Threatnings and Judge∣ments. For thus saith the Apostle of the judgements that were executed on the

Israelites in the wilderness, These things were our examples. And again, All these things hapned unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, &c. 1 Cor. 10. 6, 7. Yea the Apostle tels, that, Whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning, Rom. 15. 4. It was usual with the Apostles to apply sundry points delivered by the Prophets to the Jews, unto Christians, as Rom. 12. 9, 16, 17, 20▪ 1 Cor. 9. 9. 1 Pet. 1. 16.

Thus Gods former dealing with Saints, in Mercy, in Judgement, by Promises, by Threatnings, or any other way, may, and ought to be appli∣ed to every one of us: as if the Promises or Threatning had in particular been di∣rected to us.

For God is of himself, and in himself unchangeable, With him is no variable∣nesse, Jam. 1. 17. He is as holy, as mercifull, as just, as true, as ever he was. God being alwayes like himself, he answerably dealeth with such as are like those that lived before them. God is no respecter of persons, Act. 10. 34. He is equal and im∣partial in his dealings with men in what age soever they live. Whosoever believeth on him, as Abraham did, their faith shall be counted for righteousnesse. Whoso∣ever trusteth, as Ioshua did, shall finde God to be with them, and not to fail nor forsake them. Whosoever murmur and rebell against him, as the Israelites, shall al∣so be punished, as they were.

We may here observe one special reason of that small profit which many reap by* 1.2 the Word. They reade it, and hear it only as an History of former times; not thinking that it concerneth them at all. This Promise of God made to Abraham, I will be thy God, and the God of thy seed, they conceive to be an especial evidence of Gods favour to Abraham: but in that they apply it not to themselves, nor take it as spoken to themselves, their own faith is little strengthned thereby; and small comfort redoundeth to their own souls. The like may be said of this Promise to Ioshua; and of other Promises to other Saints in former times.

Hence we may learn a good Direction for reaping much profit from former* 1.3 Promises, Threatnings, Mercies, Judgements, Precepts, and other points in Gods Word. This may be by applying them unto our selves, and taking them as dire∣cted to our selves in particular. Thus will Directions to others put us into the right way: and Admonitions to others make us wary: and Promises to others encourage us; and Threatnings against others restrain us from sinne. Thus whatsoever things were written aforetime, will prove good Instructions to us.

Thus shall we not need to wish, that we had such extraordinary Ministers as the Prophets and Apostles were: For those things which by the Spirit were reveal∣ed to them, were revealed for us; and for our sake they remain upon perpetual re∣cord. See § 79. See also Chap. 3. v. 15. §. 158.

Of avoiding the sins of former ages, See Ch. 3. v. 8. §. 89, 90, 95.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Judgements on some to be ap∣plied by others.
• * 1.2

  Gods Word not to be read and heard as a bare History.
• * 1.3

  How to receive profit by the Word.